Liverpool’s pre-season training is set to begin, marking the start of a new era under manager Arne Slot. However, the squad will be significantly short-staffed, with a total of 14 players unable to attend due to international commitments.
The European Championships have taken a toll on Liverpool’s roster, with seven players still involved in the tournament. The likes of Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Diogo Jota have reached the quarter-finals and are focused on progressing further in the competition. This means they will miss the initial pre-season sessions.
Furthermore, Liverpool’s four Copa America participants – Alisson, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Alexis Mac Allister – are still competing in the United States. They are determined to win the tournament and will not be available for training.
Despite being eliminated from the group stage of the European Championships, Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Vitezslav Jaros will also be absent from the first pre-season sessions. They are currently on holiday, as they are entitled to at least three weeks off. Although they will have an additional two weeks of rest, they will return in time for Liverpool’s friendlies against Real Betis, Arsenal, and Manchester United in America.
The players involved in the major tournaments will remain on duty for a few more days, possibly even beyond that. The finals of both tournaments are scheduled for July 14. If any Liverpool players make it to the finals, they will return to training after the US tour but before the match against Sevilla at Anfield on August 11.
It’s not just the players on international duty who may be missing from pre-season training. Ben Doak was excluded from Scotland’s European Championships squad due to injury and may not be ready for full training. Additionally, there are uncertainties surrounding Sepp van den Berg’s future at Liverpool, as he has expressed a desire to leave the club. However, he is still expected to be involved in pre-season activities.
The presence of Adrian, who is officially out of contract but still listed on the club’s website, is another question mark. Interestingly, the first pre-season game is against Real Betis, the club Adrian is reportedly set to sign for.
Despite the absences, there are players who will be back for the start of pre-season. Caoimhin Kelleher, Kostas Tsimikas, Billy Koumetio, Conor Bradley, Fabian Mrozek, Leighton Clarkson, Harvey Elliott, Mateusz Musialowski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rhys Williams, Owen Beck, and Tyler Morton are among those who will be present.
In conclusion, Liverpool’s pre-season training will commence with several key players missing due to international commitments. While it may affect the team’s preparation for the upcoming season, it also provides an opportunity for young players to step up and showcase their abilities. The absence of certain players and uncertainties surrounding others create an intriguing dynamic as the team prepares for the challenges ahead.