Liverpool FC are officially stateside to begin pre-season training and to play three friendlies in three different US states. Though the club are in Chicago to begin training camp, the first friendly of the two-week tour will be in Nashville, Tennessee on July 25th. The Reds will then play in New York on the 29th before finishing up in Chicago on August 2nd.
Chicago has been chosen as the team’s training base while in the United States, with players aiming to regain fitness while adapting to new boss
Andoni Iraola’s plan for the team. The eight players who were at the World Cup — Virgil Van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Alisson, Alexis Mac Allister, and Víctor Muñoz — are not expected for this full pre-season tour as they have time off following their exertions. Nonetheless, Gravenberch, Wirtz and Isak are reportedly expected to return ahead of the final two friendlies.
Liverpool also have three players still rehabbing injuries from last season, and Hugo Ekitiké, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley will be continuing their programs in the United States. As for younger players, Kaide Gordon and Owen Beck are unavailable as they continue with rehab, and Jayden Danns will be assessed following hamstring discomfort last week.
Due to the gaps in the squad during this phase, the pre-season tour in the US will function as a broad groundwork, with players outside of the core squad afforded more chance to capture the manager’s attention.
Pre-season is, of course, also a marketing opportunity for the club, and the powers that be will hope to latch onto the enthusiasm from the World Cup.
