Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has provided an update on when some of his stars will return from their holidays having competed in Euro 2024 and Copa America this summer.
Pre-season has not gone as smoothly for Slot, as the Dutch coach would have preferred to have a full squad to work with for the 2024/25 season. The former Feyenoord manager had hoped to quickly implement his strategies with his new team, but the summer tournaments have caused delays, potentially affecting the start of the Merseyside club’s season.
Slot has been working with a reduced number of Liverpool’s top players recently. Speaking to the press on Thursday before Liverpool’s match against Real Betis in Pittsburgh, the Dutch coach updated on player returns. The 45-year-old confirmed that Diogo Jota will join the squad in Pittsburgh on Thursday but will not play against Betis.
Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch are expected to join the Premier League team in Philadelphia before their matches against Arsenal and Manchester United.
However, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz will miss the entire U.S. tour and will begin their pre-season training back in Liverpool.
“Diogo is arriving today. He will undergo testing tomorrow and then join us for sessions the following day,” Slot informed the media through The Athletic.
“Ibou and Ryan will join us later in the trip. Alisson will also begin his training at the AXA with the rest of the group.”