**Liverpool have named their initial squad for the pre-season tour of the USA.**
Andoni Iraola’s side flew out to Chicago from John Lennon Airport on Monday afternoon ahead of a triple header of friendlies against domestic opponents.
The new Reds’ head coach will be running the rule over his charges as they face Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United beween July 25 and August 2.
An initial 31-man squad will travel across the Atlantic with several players involved in the World Cup set to join the group before the Wrexham game.
However new signing Victor Munoz and midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who contested the final, will not report back for duty until later next month.
Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo are also set to be afforded extended breaks ahead of the Premier League opener at Newcastle United on August 23.
With provisional first-team numbers set to be thin, Iraola has included a number of academy prospects as well as players unavailable through injury.
Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are among those who will continue their respective recoveries from long-term setbacks while stateside.
Ekitike remains sidelined with a ruptured Achilles which curtailed his debut season and has [targeted the festive period for his planned return](https://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/65954-hugo-ekitike-sets-liverpool-return-target/) to action.
Rising stars Joshua Abe, Will Wright and Josh Sonni-Lambie as well as summer arrival Ifeanyi Ndukwe have also been included in the travelling party.