Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that club captain Virgil van Dijk and Conor Bradley will miss Monday's double header against Athletic Club Bilbao at Anfield.
The Reds will play two games against the Spanish side to continue their preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League season. Slot has named his first side for the game that kicks off at noon ET, and a stronger starting XI is expected at 3 p.m. ET.
However, Slot has confirmed that neither captain Van Dijk nor right-back Bradley will play for Liverpool on their return to the outfield. Van Dijk will miss the games due to illness, while Bradley is absent due to an injury that could affect his participation for a couple of weeks.
Slot told Liverpoolfc.com: “Almost all of them are fit or stayed fit.
“Unfortunately, Virgil is sick today. We miss out on Alisson. Joe Gomez is not there, Conor Bradley is not there.
“But until now we have stayed fit as we wanted to be and new signings came in so they got adjusted to what we want. Looking forward first of all to today and then to the next weeks.”
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool in action during the MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE World Challenge
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool in action during the MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE World Challenge (Image: Getty)
Reds goalkeeper Alisson will also miss the action at Anfield due to a personal matter. The shot-stopper's wife, Natalia Becker, underwent a successful surgery.
It will also be Liverpool's first game back at Anfield since the tragic death of Diogo Jota, who passed away last month following a car crash in Spain alongside his brother. Fans have already been paying tribute to Jota outside Anfield, and further remembrances of their former No. 20 are expected inside the stadium.
"I know that you will want to pay your tributes before, during and after the games, and I know that we will hear his song ringing out throughout the evening," Slot said as he sent a message to Liverpool's fans.
Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott of Liverpool arrive at the stadium
Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott of Liverpool arrive at the stadium (Image: Getty)
“It has been a tough time for everyone connected with the club, but especially for Diogo’s family, his wife, his children and friends.
“We cannot imagine the pain that they have been going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward. We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.
“Diogo’s passing has had a big impact on us all, but what has been so important has been the love and care shown from the football world, and in particular of course the Liverpool FC community.
A wall of messages commemorating Diogo Jota written by fans
A wall of messages commemorating Diogo Jota written by fans (Image: Getty)
“At Anfield, at the AXA Training Centre, at Preston North End and on our recent tour of Hong Kong and Japan, we really felt what Diogo meant to everyone, and how together our fans are.
“I want to mention the strength and the courage of my players here, too. They have found themselves in one of the toughest positions imaginable.
"But the way they have come together and the way they have conducted themselves, on and off the pitch, is a credit to them and to this football club. We really couldn’t have asked more of the boys, and I am extremely proud of them all."