Andoni Iraola’s pre-season plans at Liverpool have been handed a significant, if bittersweet, boost.
While it was a Monday to forget for a number of the club’s elite stars out in the knockout stages of the World Cup, the silver lining for Liverpool’s new boss is clear.
The dramatic exit of Germany and the Netherlands from the round of 32 means a high-profile quartet will return to the fold much earlier than originally anticipated, completely shifting the dynamic of the Reds upcoming 2026/27 pre season tour of the United States.
World Cup heartache breeds pre-season dividend
Liverpool initially had eight players heading into the tournament’s first knockout stage, but a chaotic day of VAR controversy and penalty shootout drama saw that contingent sliced exactly in half.
The headline exit came out of the German camp. Florian Wirtz’s testing year took another difficult turn as four-time world champions Germany fell at the first hurdle against Paraguay. Despite Wirtz turning provider to set up an equaliser for Kai Havertz after Julio Enciso’s opener, the Liverpool playmaker was substituted before a disastrous penalty shootout.
Florian Wirtz has provided as many assists in four World Cup games for Germany as he has in 33 Premier League appearances for Liverpool (3). ??? pic.twitter.com/HUNQtJbJZh
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 29, 2026
Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah all fluffed their lines from the spot to send Paraguay through amid heavy German protests over a controversial disallowed goal in extra-time.
With the Netherlands also suffering shootout heartbreak at the hands of Morocco on the very same night, Iraola suddenly finds himself welcoming back four indispensable pillars of his squad.
??2014: Eliminated on penalties ?
??2018: Did not qualify ?
??2022: Eliminated on penalties ?
??2026: Eliminated on penalties ?
The Netherlands’ last three World Cups all ended on penalties ? pic.twitter.com/iRkMKMvah7
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 30, 2026
The US Tour
Liverpool are scheduled to fly out across the Atlantic in the week leading up to their opening Stateside friendly against Sunderland on July 25.
The original expectation was that Iraola would be forced to navigate the early legs of the US tour entirely stripped of his World Cup stars. Instead, Florian Wirtz, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo are now booked on flights to join up with the squad.
While they may undergo their initial physical testing on American soil.
Sunderland (July 25): The quartet could be cleared for heavily staggered, brief cameos.
Wrexham: Expected to build up their rhythm with slightly extended minutes in the second friendly.
Leeds United: The current blueprint pencils them in for a solid 45-minute runout in the third match of the tour.
The group could swell even further depending on Tuesday night’s fixtures; should France eliminate Sweden, Alexander Isak will similarly cut his holiday short to join the squad early. Meanwhile, Alisson Becker remains out in the tournament after helping Brazil survive a major scare to advance past Japan 2-1.
The first wave of players is expected to report back to the AXA Training Centre on July 13 to kick off day one of the new regime. It represents a strong blend of senior international experience, returning loanees, and highly-rated academy prospects.
Crucially, the medical department has handed Iraola a major lift with both Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet expected to be fit and available for the first whistle following their respective long-term injury lay-offs.
The full list of players confirmed for the start of Liverpool’s pre-season training includes:
Position Players Reporting July 13
Goalkeepers Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Armin Pecsi
Defenders Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni, Jeremy Jacquet, Milos Kerkez, Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Calvin Ramsay
Midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Trey Nyoni, Stefan Bajcetic, James McConnell
Forwards Federico Chiesa, Rio Ngumoha, Jayden Danns
It is safe to say that while Iraola would have preferred his players to experience the ultimate glory on the world stage, the reality of their premature exits provides an undeniable structural advantage for Liverpool’s summer preparations.
Tactical integration under a new manager requires precious time on the training pitch something that was supposed to be in incredibly short supply this July.
Pre-season is ultimately about building fitness, drilling patterns, and establishing a collective culture. Thanks to a dramatic Monday night at the World Cup, Iraola gets to start that process with a nearly full deck of cards.