Three key Liverpool players have joined pre-season, as Joe Gomez missed training and Andoni Iraola explained how he wants to “maximise” Liverpool’s big signings from last summer.
Wirtz, Gravenberch and Isak back in training
Three of Liverpool’s most pivotal players began joined team training for the first time as Liverpool recovered from their first pre-season friendly of the summer.
Having exited the World Cup at the round-of-32 stage, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak were given three weeks off before returning to Liverpool duties.
The squad greeted them when they returned to Chicago from Nashville following their 4-2 win over Sunderland, and the trio got back into training properly as we slept in Liverpool on Sunday night.
Liverpool will have to ensure they aren’t rushed back too quickly, but they could still play a small part in the upcoming games against Wrexham and Leeds, more likely the latter.
The Reds’ other Netherlands World Cup internationals, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo, won’t be reunited with the team in America, though.
They, along with Alisson, will resume training on Merseyside this week. Iraola explained: “We considered it was sensible with them to start the first week training in a small group, or even with younger players, at the AXA.”
LFC News: Gomez misses training & Iraola wants to “maximise” Isak
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez (L) Is greeted by head coach Andoni Iraola as he is substituted off during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez (L) Is greeted by head coach Andoni Iraola as he is substituted off during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Joe Gomez missed Liverpool training, due to the injury he sustained seven minutes into Liverpool’s pre-season friendly against Sunderland on Saturday night
• Speaking to The Anfield Wrap, Iraola explained how he wants to connect with Liverpool supporters and that he thinks “we will have the people behind us” – read more here
• Iraola has said he wants to give Isak and Wirtz a “platform so they can maximise their potential” at Liverpool – that’s what we like to hear!
• Billionaire Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin has been approached by a consortium to buy a 30 percent stake in Liverpool, according to Sky News
More from This Is Anfield
Think you know your Liverpool history? See if you can get all 10 correct – you may struggle with the last one!
Football News: Chelsea want Welbeck & new rule for time-wasting
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Brighton & Hove Albion's Danny Welbeck celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Brighton & Hove Albion's Danny Welbeck celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• English football has introduced a new rule to combat time-wasting whereby, if a team’s goalkeeper goes down injured, they must take off one other player for a minute
• Chelsea have held “positive” talks to sign Danny Welbeck, with the Londoners wanting the 35-year-old’s experience in their squad (Sky Sports)
• Yan Diomande has agreed personal terms with Real Madrid, leaving PSG to withdraw their interest after they had a £102.5 million bid rejected by RB Leipzig (BBC Sport)
• Zinedine Zidane is set to be named the new manager of France on Tuesday – there are some big hitters in the international game now!
Today’s evening viewing
Watch Kieran Morrison Interview
Watch Kieran Morrison talk to the media after Liverpool’s 4-2 friendly win against Sunderland on our YouTube channel here.
isakwirtziraola
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 6 – Liverpool FC v AFC Sunderland
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez during the pre-match warm-up before a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
P2026-07-25-Liverpool_Sunderland-127
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)