Liverpool name initial 31-player squad for USA pre-season tour
Liverpool squad departs for USA tour
Liverpool have announced an initial 31-player squad for their pre-season tour of the USA. The team departed from John Lennon Airport in Liverpool on Monday afternoon, heading to their training base in Chicago. This tour marks the beginning of the Andoni Iraola era, with the new head coach preparing to introduce his style of play to the squad and supporters.
The tour will feature three matches across different states in North America. Liverpool is scheduled to face Sunderland, Wrexham, and Leeds United during the fortnight-long trip. Following these fixtures, the squad will return to Merseyside at the beginning of August to continue preparations for the upcoming season.
A number of players included in the travelling party will continue their injury rehabilitation programmes with the club’s medical team. Additionally, several senior players who participated in World Cup commitments are expected to join the squad later in the tour.
Key players to impress Iraola
The tour provides an important opportunity for several players to impress Andoni Iraola and stake their claim for a place in the squad. With many senior players absent due to World Cup duties, including finalists Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz, the squad is bolstered by a number of Academy players.
Harvey Elliott is among those looking to make an impact. Having spent a season on loan at Aston Villa, Elliott is expected to receive significant playing time across the frontline and potentially in the number 10 role. His current contract at Anfield is in its final 12 months, making this period particularly crucial for him.
Similarly, Curtis Jones, who made nearly 50 appearances last term but was not a regular in midfield, is in a comparable contract situation. The absence of Mac Allister and, initially, Ryan Gravenberch, will offer Jones ample opportunity to demonstrate his suitability for Iraola’s system.
Jeremie Frimpong will aim to overcome his recent form and the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup. Kostas Tsimikas, returning from a loan spell at Roma, will also look to reassert his claims for the left-back position, especially with a challenger needed for Milos Kerkez.
New signing Jeremy Jacquet, who missed the latter months of last season with Rennes due to shoulder surgery, will use the tour to build match fitness and strengthen his case to start the Premier League season alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. However, with Giovanni Leoni still recovering from an ACL injury, Joe Gomez is currently considered a strong candidate to feature at Newcastle United on August 23.
Joe Gomez commented on the tour’s importance, stating it is a chance to build a foundation for the season. He highlighted the need to adapt while staying healthy and ready. Gomez also noted the high mood at the training ground, attributing it to the new manager and a good break, expressing excitement for Iraola’s leadership.
Squad composition and notable absences
The initial 31-player squad includes a mix of experienced players and younger talents. The full list comprises: Gomez, Endo, Jacquet, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Bradley, Chiesa, Leoni, Jones, Elliott, Tsimikas, Ekitike, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Frimpong, Abe, Nyoni, Bajcetic, Chambers, Ramsay, Scanlon, McConnell, Jaros, Koumas, Morrison, Ngumoha, W. Wright, Hall, Sonni-Lambie, Ndukwe, and Davies.
Notably, Jayden Danns is not part of the travelling squad. Iraola had previously confirmed that Danns is currently injured, alongside Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, and Stefan Bajcetic. While some injured players are included to continue rehabilitation, Danns’ absence from the list suggests he will not participate in the tour. This injury is described as a pre-existing problem.
The tour will offer the first public glimpse of Iraola’s approach, with a press conference scheduled for Tuesday ahead of the fixtures. The team will face Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday evening, followed by Wrexham in New York, and concluding with Leeds United in Chicago.
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Source: liverpoolfc.com