Liverpool's expected squad for Andoni Iraola's first day of pre-season with key stars absent
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Andoni Iraola is set to meet his Liverpool squad for the first time as head coach on Monday, July 13, with Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Gakpo among those absent due to the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)It's now just over a week until Andoni Iraola welcomes his Liverpool squad for the first time as manager.The Anfield chief replaced Arne Slot last month after the 2025 Premier League title-winning boss was dismissed at the end of May, following a season that witnessed the Reds, as reigning champions, suffer 12 defeats and stumble to a fifth-placed finish. But precisely who is Iraola anticipated to encounter on Monday, July 13 for the opening day of the new era?Having all been knocked out at the last-32 phase of the World Cup at the beginning of the week, Iraola will be missing his Dutch trio of Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are two others who will not be present.Liverpool customarily grant three weeks' rest following international competitions, which means all five individuals are currently savouring some deserved downtime before returning for club commitments later this month, reports the Liverpool Echo.The five-strong group of players are expected to travel to the United States for the second week of the Reds' pre-season American tour where they face Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United in Nashville, New York and Chicago, respectively.Alisson Becker, Alexis Mac Allister and new recruit Victor Munoz all continue at the World Cup at the time of writing. Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni and Stefan Bajcetic have all been utilising the club's AXA Training Centre facilities in recent days, and new recruit Jeremy Jacquet will join from the outset following confirmation of his £60m transfer from Rennes on July 1.New Liverpool signing Victor Munoz won't be back for pre-season immediately due to the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Viteslav Jaros are anticipated to return for sessions with the club's medical staff following serious injuries last term.Goalkeeper Jaros sustained an ACL injury while at Ajax, and France international Ekitike is recovering from a ruptured Achilles.
Bradley's campaign concluded in January during a goalless draw with Arsenal.Fifteen-year-old winger Joshua Abe will feature in the summer tour of the United States, and Iraola will also have numerous senior players available, including Hungary duo Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai, as well as Jeremie Frimpong, who was omitted from the Netherlands squad.Here's how the squad could shape up on July 13 for pre-season training:.Goalkeepers: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Armin Pecsi, Kornel Misciur, Harvey Davies.Defenders: Joe Gomez, Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni, Milos Kerkez, Kostas Tsimikas, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Amara Nallo, Wellity Lucky, Calvin Ramsay, Luke Chambers, Owen Beck.Midfielders: Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Trey Nyoni, Stefan Bajcetic, James McConnell.Forwards: Rio Ngumoha, Federico Chiesa, Will Wright, Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Keyrol Figueroa, Kieran Morrison, Kaide Gordon, Joshua Abe.