Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo have begun pre-season at the AXA Training Centre, with the Netherlands duo not travelling for the United States tour.
Both Van Dijk and Gakpo were granted further time off after the World Cup, as the decision was made for neither player to join the first team’s tour of America.
Instead, they have begun fitness tests at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday before linking up with their team-mates on their return next week.
Why Alisson is not back for pre-season yet
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Alisson is yet to report back for pre-season but is expected later this week, with Brazil having exited the World Cup a week after the Netherlands.
Liverpool’s first-team goalkeeping coaches Alejandro Rosalen and Colin Stewart are both with the senior squad in the US, while the U21s only returned from their own training camp in Slovenia on Monday.
It means Alisson‘s sessions will be limited until Andoni Iraola and his staff land back on Merseyside, with the Brazilian not likely to be involved in the same testing as Van Dijk and Gakpo.
After their friendlies against Wrexham in New York (Wednesday) and Leeds in Chicago (Saturday), Liverpool will host AS Monaco (August 9) and Como (August 16) at Anfield.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 28, 2026
Those two games will provide Alisson, Van Dijk and Gakpo their first minutes under Iraola, who is expected to rely heavily on all three players.
Alisson has attracted interest from both Juventus and clubs in Saudi Arabia this summer but remains committed to his role as Liverpool’s No. 1.
Gakpo, meanwhile, is considered available for the right price but the club would likely only consider offers for the Tottenham-linked winger if and when a deal is finalised for Paris Saint-Germain‘s Bradley Barcola.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Both Van Dijk and Alisson have entered the final year of their contracts this summer and it remains to be seen if they are in line for extensions.
There is a strong argument to at least keep Van Dijk beyond 2027, as he is still one of the best centre-backs in world football and is key in his role as Liverpool captain.
Explaining the “different reasons” for allowing the three players an extended break for – Gakpo was offered compassionate leave – Iraola described it as a “sensible” decision.
“Instead of making them come here with the team, 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,” the head coach told reporters in Chicago.
Bradley BARCOLA of France celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I match between France and Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport)
Bradley BARCOLA of France celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I match between France and Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport)
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England's Jordan Henderson ahead of the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match at Atlanta Stadium. Picture date: Wednesday July 1, 2026.