Staggered Returns for Key Players
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has provided an update on the return schedule for players who participated in the recent World Cup. The players will rejoin the squad in stages, with some linking up with the team in the USA and others beginning their pre-season at the AXA Training Centre in Liverpool.
Ryan Gravenberch, Alexander Isak, and Florian Wirtz are expected to be among the first to integrate with the squad. They are scheduled to join their teammates during the second week of the USA pre-season tour. This means they will be available after the friendly match against Sunderland, which is set to take place in Nashville.
Iraola emphasised the importance of these early returns, stating that the sooner they can begin working with the players and familiarising them with the team’s strategies, the better. He has had individual conversations with these three players to outline the main expectations for their return.
Training Plans for Senior Squad Members
While some players will join the tour, other prominent figures like Alisson Becker, Cody Gakpo, and Virgil van Dijk will follow a slightly different schedule. These players are on a similar timeline for starting their pre-season work for the 2026-27 season but will commence training at the AXA Training Centre in Liverpool.
Iraola explained that this decision was made for various reasons. In the case of Virgil van Dijk, it is due to his significant playing time in Europe. For Cody Gakpo, other considerations led to this arrangement. The coach felt it was sensible for them to start their first week of training with a smaller group or even with younger players at the AXA Training Centre before rejoining the main squad upon their return from the USA.
The head coach confirmed that the training dates for these players will be very similar to those joining the USA tour, ensuring a consistent start to their preparations for the upcoming season.
Final World Cup Participants and Injury Updates
The last players to rejoin the squad will be Alexis Mac Allister and new signing Victor Munoz. Both players were involved in the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, with Munoz being part of the victorious Spain squad. Their extended participation in the tournament means they will have a period of rest before returning to the team.
Iraola acknowledged that their late return might impact their readiness for the opening Premier League fixture against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on August 23. He highlighted the need to consider their well-deserved holidays and rest, especially for Alexis Mac Allister, who accumulated extensive minutes during the season and the World Cup.
In addition to the returning World Cup players, Iraola also provided an update on several players recovering from injuries. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni are dealing with significant injuries that will require months for recovery. Leoni is considered the closest to returning among this group.
Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo are closer to rejoining group training, with plans for them to participate partially with the squad during the USA tour. The pre-season is seen as a crucial period for establishing the foundation for the long season ahead, especially for a new coach at the club.
The team is scheduled to play five friendly matches before the season commences, with every training session and friendly considered vital for preparation.
The initial 31-player squad for the United States tour was announced with the understanding that additional senior players would join later after their World Cup commitments. Alisson Becker could potentially return for the final match against Leeds on August 2.
The club generally allows players three weeks off after their participation in a summer international tournament. However, the delayed return dates for players like Van Dijk and Gakpo, who exited the competition earlier, indicate that this is not a rigid rule. Mac Allister and Munoz are unlikely to be involved until the final pre-season match against Como at Anfield on August 16.
The goal is for Iraola to have the majority of his first-team squad available for the start of the 2026-27 season against Newcastle on August 23.
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Source: liverpoolfc.com
