LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Mor Talla Ndiaye on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Mor Talla Ndiaye on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool centre-back Mor Talla Ndiaye has joined their training camp in Chicago after belatedly being granted a visa to travel to the United States.
Ndiaye was a surprise omission from Liverpool’s initial travelling squad to America having been involved in every session at the AXA Training Centre prior.
This Is Anfield understands the 18-year-old – signed from Senegalese side Amitie FC in January – was unable to make the planned flight due to issues with his visa.
But there had always been a confidence that Ndiaye would be able to join up with Andoni Iraola‘s squad within 48 hours of their departure.
The teenager subsequently flew into Chicago before resuming training with the first team, who took in a double session at their base in the city on Wednesday.
Liverpool’s plans for Mor Talla Ndiaye
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, March 16, 2026: Liverpool's El Hadji Mor Talla Ndiaye during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester City FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's at the Academy Stadium. Man City won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, March 16, 2026: Liverpool's El Hadji Mor Talla Ndiaye during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester City FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's at the Academy Stadium. Man City won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ndiaye could now be included in the squad to face Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday night, strengthening Iraola’s centre-back options.
He is highly regarded among senior staff and will provide an alternative to the expected first-choice duo for the tour, Joe Gomez and Jeremy Jacquet.
Austrian youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe provides further depth, with the 18-year-old also considered on a promising trajectory following his £2.6 million move from Austria Vienna.
Liverpool’s faith in Ndiaye and Ndukwe was shown with the decision to allow Amara Nallo – previously next in line to the first team – to join HJK Helsinki on loan.
MARTIGUES, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's captain Amara Nallo during an Under-19's friendly match between Olympique de Marseille Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at the Stade Francis Turcan. Marseille won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MARTIGUES, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's captain Amara Nallo during an Under-19's friendly match between Olympique de Marseille Under-19's and Liverpool FC Under-19's at the Stade Francis Turcan. Marseille won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Nallo’s switch to the Finnish side is expected to be finalised on Thursday ahead of their Europa League second qualifying round clash with Coleraine.
Iraola will be without Virgil van Dijk for all three friendlies in the US, with the captain instead resuming work at the AXA Training Centre alongside Alisson and Cody Gakpo next week.
That means Van Dijk’s first involvement with the full squad will be in the buildup to the meeting with Monaco at Anfield on August 9.
Liverpool then round off pre-season with a double-header against Italian side Como on August 16, with the first held behind closed doors at Anfield before another with fans in attendance.
Arranging an additional friendly against Como should allow Iraola to utilise his full squad before any final decisions are made over who will be involved on a full-time basis and who could head out on loan.
Ndiaye is likely to be retained at least until the end of the summer and could feasibly stay with the U21s for the campaign while training regularly with the first team.
Football – UEFA Champions League – Round of 16 – 1st Leg – Galatasaray SK v Liverpool FC
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Amara Nallo during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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