Liverpool are set to receive a major boost with the return of five key players to training next week. Florian Wirtz is expected to be the first to return, with his comeback slated for Monday, July 20, after Germany's World Cup exit on June 29.
This will give him a chance to adapt to Andoni Iraola's demands and prepare for the upcoming season. Wirtz's early return will also allow him to travel with the squad to the United States for the pre-season friendly against Sunderland in Nashville on July 25.
Return of Key Players
Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Ryan Gravenberch are expected to follow Wirtz's return, with their likely comeback date set for Tuesday, July 21, after the Netherlands' World Cup elimination on June 30. Alexander Isak may also return on the same day, following Sweden's defeat by France.
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The return of these players will be a significant boost to Iraola, who has had to work with a split squad due to the World Cup. The head coach needs players, not placeholders, to impose his new ideas quickly.
Pre-Season Disruptions
Iraola's first weeks as Liverpool head coach have been disrupted by the World Cup, with several key players absent from training. However, with the return of Wirtz and other key players, the squad will start to take shape, and Iraola will have a better chance to assess his team's strengths and weaknesses.
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Alisson Becker is another player who could return next week, although the strict three-week calculation means he is not technically due back until Sunday. Alexis Mac Allister remains unavailable for now, as he prepares for the World Cup final this Sunday.
Looking Ahead
If the current schedule holds, Liverpool should welcome back a significant number of first-team players within a short span, which will be a major boost to their pre-season preparations. The return of these players will give Iraola a clearer picture of his squad's capabilities and allow him to fine-tune his tactics ahead of the new season.
Source: Yahoo Sports