The thrill of the title chase – and the winter sun in Marbella – seems to have energised Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, as he appeared even more exuberant than usual in training on Tuesday. 

Liverpool are in Spain for a few days training away from the cold, as they are not in FA Cup action this weekend.

Klopp placed himself in the centre of the action, riding into training on a bicycle before getting stuck into the session.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rides into training on a bicycle on Tuesday in Marbella

At the end of the session, some players had a game of foot-tennis – Klopp got involved

Klopp partnered with Sadio Mane, and seemed delighted with his doubles partner’s work

The thrill of the title chase seems to have made Klopp even more exuberant than usual

Klopp was also spotted having a chat with Tom Werner, part owner of the football club

Training for Liverpool on Tuesday started with a regular warm up, stretches and core exercises, before they started on their ball-work drills.

At the end of the session, some players had a game of foot-tennis. Rather than stand and observe on the sidelines, Liverpool boss Klopp and his assistant Pepijn Lijnders got involved.

Klopp partnered with Sadio Mane while Lijnders played alongside Roberto Firmino, and the boss took the chance to show his skills as he flicked the ball up with his heel. 

The German manager – who spent his entire playing career as a defender with Bundesliga club Mainz – really threw himself into the exercise, and was pictured high-fiving Mane. Lijnders was similarly enthusiastic, and was photographed attempting an overhead kick. 

Long-term injury absentee Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was involved in the full session

The midfielder is continuing to work his way back to fitness following a long-term knee injury

Oxlade-Chamberlain was injured last April but could make a return later this season

Klopp was also spotted having a chat with Tom Werner, part owner of the football club, who had dropped in during the training session.

Werner is a co-founder of Fenway Sports Group – along with John W. Henry – the group which owns Liverpool FC and Major League Baseball franchise Boston Red Sox.

As well as enjoyment of the session, Klopp’s good mood may also have been down to seeing long-term absentee Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain involved in full training with the rest of the squad. 

The England midfielder is continuing to work his way back to full fitness following a serious knee injury.

Rhian Brewster, who has also been out for over a year with a major knee injury, was also involved. James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and Fabinho were absent.  

Virgil van Dijk and Roberto Firmino compete for the ball during training in Marbella

Mohamed Salah controls the ball as Liverpool take advantage of a weekend off from action

Assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders attempts an overhead kick during the game of foot-tennis

Liverpool arrived in Marbella on Monday evening and will remain until Friday, as they have no fixture this weekend.

The Reds were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Wolves, which while disappointing for fans does at least give Klopp extra preparation time on the training ground. 

Next week they return to Champions League action against Bayern Munich in the round of 16, while the Premier League title race – against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur – is set to go down to the wire. 

England prop Mako Vunipola has been ruled out of the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations by an ankle injury.

Vunipola limped off in the 44th minute of Sunday’s rout of France and watched the rest of the game with ice strapped to his left ankle.

‘It is obviously very disappointing to lose Mako at this stage as he is an important player for us but it does provide an opportunity for the team to grow,’ head coach Eddie Jones said.

Mako Vunipola trudges off the pitch injured during England’s victory over France on Saturday

Vunipola had started in England’s Six Nations wins over Ireland and France

Eddie Jones’ side have Wales, Italy and Scotland to come in their quest to land a Grand Slam but Vunipola is certain to miss all three games with the injury that will see him sidelined for 10 weeks.

The 28-year-old will now return to his club side Saracens where he will begin his rehabilitation programme.

The injury will come as a severe blow to England, with Vunipola having started in a huge win in Ireland at the start of the campaign as well as the victory over France at Twickenham on Saturday.