Liverpool fans eagerly await the start of pre-season as they look forward to the upcoming campaign under Arne Slot. However, the question remains: when will the full squad be back together?
The Euros and Copa America have recently concluded, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez collecting runners-up medals, while Alexis Mac Allister celebrated lifting the Copa America trophy. Alongside them, Darwin Nunez also represented Liverpool in international tournaments. These players were the last to go on vacation and will enjoy a well-deserved break of at least three weeks before reporting for pre-season.
Looking at the players who exited the Euros at the group stage, we see Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Vitezslav Jaros. They were the first to return to the club on July 16, exactly three weeks after their elimination. They have started with testing and will gradually integrate with the rest of the squad before the trip to the United States.
Diogo Jota and Alisson, who reached the quarter-finals with Portugal and Brazil respectively, are likely to return during the week commencing July 29. This coincides with the start of Liverpool’s pre-season tour and suggests that they will join up with Arne Slot and the team before the second friendly against Arsenal in Philadelphia.
The remaining nine players, including Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, made it to at least the semi-final stage. With their duties concluding within days of each other, it is probable that they will return together. If staggered, Konate would be the first to return after France’s elimination on July 9, followed by the Dutch trio. Liverpool will likely prioritize giving these players as much time off as possible before their return, although this means they will have less than two weeks between their comeback and the league opener.
Liverpool’s pre-season fixtures include matches against Real Betis in Pittsburgh on July 26, Arsenal in Philadelphia on July 31, Manchester United in South Carolina on August 3, and Sevilla at Anfield on August 11. These games will provide valuable preparation for the team ahead of the new season.
In conclusion, while Liverpool fans eagerly await the return of the full squad, it is clear that the players’ availability will be staggered based on their international tournament experiences. The club will prioritize giving them sufficient rest before gradually integrating them into pre-season training. The upcoming friendlies will serve as crucial preparation for the team as they aim to start the new campaign on a strong note.