Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker have both handed Liverpool a fitness boost after being pictured back at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.
11:30, 08 Aug 2025
Virgil van Dijk is missing Liverpool's pre-season games against Athletic Club Bilbao due to illness
Virgil van Dijk has handed Liverpool a big boost(Image: Getty)
Liverpool have received a potentially crucial double boost ahead of their Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace, with both Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker spotted returning to the AXA Training Centre on Thursday.
The duo had been absent from the Reds' pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Monday evening. Arne Slot had confirmed that Liverpool's skipper had missed recent matches due to illness.
The Brazilian goalkeeper, meanwhile, had been absent after departing early from the club's Far East pre-season tour to handle a personal situation.
It subsequently came to light that he had travelled back to Brazil to be with his wife, Natalia, who had undergone surgery. Speaking before the Bilbao encounter, Slot expressed optimism that both Van Dijk and Alisson would be ready for Sunday's Wembley showdown.
"Unfortunately, Virgil is sick today. We miss out on Alisson," he told LFC TV. "Joe Gomez is not there, Conor Bradley is not there.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, lifts the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season
Liverpool will face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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"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," reports the Liverpool Echo.
"Virgil (is) normally not (at risk of missing the Community Shield). Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley, it's going to be tight. Alisson will be back in time as well."
Slot appears to have been vindicated after both players were photographed back at the training ground ahead of Sunday's fixture.
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While Van Dijk and Alisson are now fit to play against Crystal Palace, Slot will provide further updates on the injuries of Gomez and Bradley during his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.
In other news, Trey Nyoni participated in a cool down session on Tuesday as usual, despite limping off the pitch during the match against Bilbao. However, Stefan Bajcetic remains out of action after undergoing hamstring surgery earlier this summer.
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Liverpool will be without Darwin Nunez for their trip to Wembley, following the Reds' agreement to sell the striker to Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal for £46.3m.