Liverpool’s pre-season preparations are set to kick off with Mohamed Salah leading the way. New head coach Arne Slot will be overseeing his first pre-season at the club, although he won’t have his full squad at his disposal initially.
Due to international commitments, 10 players from Liverpool are currently participating in the European Championship, while four others are representing their countries in the Copa America in the United States. As a result, they will be returning to the club later in the summer. However, despite the absence of these players, Slot can still expect to have a group of at least 16 senior players to work with on day one of pre-season.
Salah, who is one of the most high-profile players due back early, may have his training interrupted if he is called up by Egypt for the Olympics. The football tournament of the Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 10, potentially delaying Salah’s return until just a week before the start of the Premier League.
Liverpool holds the power to decide whether or not to release their players for international duty. This means that Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic, who will be back on day one, could be blocked from participating in their respective national teams. Other first-team regulars, such as Caoimhin Kelleher, Kostas Tsimikas, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones, and Harvey Elliott, are expected to report back for the start of July. Youngsters Bobby Clark, James McConnell, and Ben Doak are also likely to join them, although Liverpool may need to consider loan moves for these promising talents.
The futures of Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg, Rhys Williams, and Nat Phillips remain uncertain. While they are technically scheduled to return for pre-season, their situations could change over the summer transfer window.
The 16-man group could potentially be expanded if goalkeeper Adrian agrees to a new contract. Additionally, Slot is expected to tap into the club’s youth ranks to bolster his squad. Goalkeepers Harvey Davies and Fabian Mrozek, defenders Amara Nallo, Owen Beck, Luke Chambers, Carter Pinnington, and Calum Scanlon, midfielders Tyler Morton and Trey Nyoni, and forwards Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, and Kaide Gordon are all likely to be involved.
Liverpool’s pre-season plans include a trip to the United States, where they will face Real Betis on July 27, Arsenal on August 1, and Manchester United on August 4.
Possible Liverpool squad for day one of pre-season:
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher, Adrian*, Harvey Davies, Fabian Mrozek
Defenders: Jarell Quansah, Nat Phillips, Sepp van den Berg, Rhys Williams, Amara Nallo, Carter Pinnington, Conor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas, Owen Beck, Luke Chambers, Calum Scanlon
Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajcetic, Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Tyler Morton, Trey Nyoni
Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Fabio Carvalho, Ben Doak, Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Kaide Gordon
* If he signs a new contract