Florian Wirtz, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo all exited the World Cup on Monday night in shock defeats for Germany and the Netherlands.
Liverpool saw all eight of their World Cup players make it through to the round of 32 – but now that number has already halved with four knockout ties played.
It began with Germany being held to a 1-1 draw by Paraguay, and after extra time the clash went to a penalty shootout.
Though Paraguay made it hard for themselves despite misses from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade, centre-back Jonathan Tah went on to blast his spot-kick over the bar to ensure Germany lost 4-3.
Hours later, the Netherlands also drew 1-1 with Morocco and lost 3-2 in their shootout after misses from Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville.
No Liverpool player took a penalty for either Germany or the Netherlands, with Wirtz, Gravenberch and Gakpo all off the pitch by the end of extra time.
Wirtz had assisted Havertz’s second-half equaliser with a beautiful cross from the left, however, while Gakpo opened the scoring against Morocco to spark emotional scenes as he marked the sad passing of his unborn son.
The 27-year-old was in tears as he was crowded by his team-mates in a warm embrace, having shared the news of his partner Noa’s miscarriage days previous.
With Germany and the Netherlands among the favourites before the tournament started, seeing both exit the World Cup at the round of 32 is a shock.
When Liverpool’s German and Dutch players should be back for pre-season
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, March 9, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
It can be considered a boost for Liverpool, though, with Wirtz, Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Gakpo all now likely to be back in time for the pre-season tour of the United States.
Though the Reds are now under new management and protocols could change, it is typical for players to be given three weeks off after the end of a major summer tournament.
Liverpool are likely to fly out to the US around Monday, July 20 and their German and Dutch cohort could feasibly join them soon after.
The first friendly on tour is against Sunderland in Nashville on July 25, followed by meetings with Wrexham in New York (July 30) and Leeds in Chicago (August 2).
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Wirtz, Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Gakpo should see their minutes gradually increase over those three games, while adjusting to a new style of football under Andoni Iraola.
The next Liverpool player in action at the World Cup is Alexander Isak, whose Sweden will face 2022 finalists France on Tuesday night.
Victor Munoz‘s Spain play Austria on Thursday and Alexis Mac Allister‘s Argentina face Cape Verde on Friday. Alisson‘s Brazil are already through to the last 16.