Liverpool: Iraola confirms six players’ return plans and injury updates
Squad Returns and Injury Updates
Andoni Iraola, Liverpool‘s new head coach, has provided an update regarding the return of six players following their participation in the World Cup. He also offered details on the fitness of several other squad members. Three players are expected to join the pre-season tour in the United States for its second half, while three others will remain on Merseyside for their return to club duties.
Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Ryan Gravenberch are scheduled to link up with the squad during the second week of the US tour. This follows their respective eliminations from the World Cup. Their integration will occur after the friendly match against Sunderland at Nashville‘s GEODIS Park this weekend.
However, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Alisson Becker will not travel to the US. Iraola explained that Van Dijk, who played significant minutes over the past year and featured in every minute of the Netherlands‘ World Cup campaign, will be given additional recovery time. Both Gakpo and Alisson are set to return to the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby to begin their training there. Iraola stated that these players will start training around the same week as the others, but in smaller groups or with younger players at AXA, before rejoining the main squad upon their return from the US.
Regarding injuries, Iraola mentioned that Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni are dealing with significant injuries that have required months for rehabilitation. Among these, Leoni is considered the closest to returning to action, while Bradley and Ekitike are still some months away from full recovery.
Pre-Season Preparations and Player Integration
Two other players, Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo, are nearing a return to group training. They are expected to participate partially in training sessions during the US tour. This staggered return for various players highlights the impact of the World Cup on Iraola‘s pre-season preparations.
Traditionally, Liverpool grants players three weeks of rest after international tournaments. However, the club has made individual decisions based on player circumstances. For instance, the delayed return of Van Dijk and Gakpo, who exited the World Cup three weeks prior, indicates flexibility in this policy. Gakpo‘s situation, in particular, is influenced by a personal tragedy he and his partner experienced in late June.
The World Cup finalists, Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz, are anticipated to have a more extended break. They are not expected to report back to the AXA Training Centre until well into next month, likely missing most of the pre-season programme. Their return dates are estimated to be around August 9th, with fitness tests and training commencing the following day.
Iraola emphasized the importance of every training session and friendly during pre-season, especially when joining a new club. He noted that the team is scheduled to play five friendlies before the season begins, underscoring the need to maximize these opportunities to prepare the squad for the upcoming season.
Impact of World Cup on Key Players
Mac Allister and Munoz‘s late return means their preparation time with Iraola will be limited before the new Premier League campaign. Munoz, being a new addition to the squad, will need to integrate into the team and regain match fitness, despite not having played any minutes in the World Cup. Mac Allister, on the other hand, is expected to experience more fatigue due to his extensive participation in the tournament.
The returns of Gravenberch, Wirtz, and Isak will allow them ample time to adapt to the new head coach’s methods. Alisson‘s potential return before the match against Leeds on August 2nd is also seen as a positive development for the team’s readiness.
The club’s initial announcement for the US tour indicated that additional senior players would join the group later, following their World Cup commitments. 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 23rd, excluding those recovering from long-term injuries.
Mac Allister and Munoz are expected to miss all but the final pre-season friendly on August 16th.
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Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk
As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”
