Image Credits: Imago Images
With Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz preparing to contest Sunday’s World Cup final, Liverpool will have to wait until August before the duo return for pre-season.
Argentina and Spain booked their places in the final after defeating England and France respectively, with the showpiece taking place in New Jersey.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has admitted he would have preferred to have his full squad available from the start of pre-season.
However, FIFA regulations require players to receive a minimum of three weeks’ rest after the World Cup. As a result, Mac Allister and Munoz are not expected to return to training until August 10.
The pair are set to miss all but one of Liverpool’s pre-season friendlies and are likely to make their first appearance back in the squad against Como at Anfield on August 16. Liverpool then begin their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle on August 23.
Munoz joined Liverpool from Osasuna earlier this summer after an impressive 2025-26 campaign in La Liga, with Iraola describing the Spain international as a “very hungry and ambitious” signing.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, head coach Iraola detailed the attributes he expects Munoz to offer the club when he arrives soon. “We will have someone who will win the World Cup!” said the boss.
“We don’t know still if it’s going to be [Alexis] Mac Allister or Victor, but someone will win it. With Victor, I think we signed him in a moment where he’s very hungry, he’s ambitious, but he’s still humble and knows that he has to come very ready.
“I think he’s someone with some versatility – can play right, can play left, he has the work-rate also for all that we will require. Looking forward to having him here, even if we know that we will have to wait with him and Macca.”
Iraola added: “Nowadays, players normally are very professional. They have things to do in the summer. They come normally in a good shape.
“Some of them are in a better shape, the other ones are still getting there, but we have our time, we have our weeks to prepare. I hope when it matters, we arrive ready.”