SerpApi.Org
Andoni Iraola gave an update on some of the club's injured players as Liverpool goes about its preseason.
After the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Liverpool's players are slowly getting back together, with several stars still recovering from the month-long tournament. With the preseason getting underway, it provided the perfect time for Liverpool's players to get back in game shape and to recover.
As the preseason starts in the United States, Iraola is bringing 31 men to the United States for fixtures against Sunderland, Wrexham, and Leeds United before finishing off in England with matches against AS Monaco and Como. Speaking to reporters, the head coach shared an injury update on some stars, with positive news on three players.
• Samuel Martinez will not join Liverpool for another year thanks to FIFA rule
• Andoni Iraola urged to make 'cold-hearted' decision over Cody Gakpo future at Liverpool
"We have some players with big, big injuries, so they have to recover," he said during his press conference. "Stefan [Bajcetic] and Wataru [Endo] are close to train with the group. They will start partially with the group.
"The others, we have to wait. [Giovanni] Leoni is the closest, then Conor [Bradley] and Hugo [Ekitike]. The last two we are talking about months."
With a number of stars out for the time being, while others are inching closer to a return, that gives new signings like Jeremy Jacquet an opportunity to showcase their abilities. Speaking on Jacquet, Iraola also gave an update on his fitness as he looks to make good on the $83 million fee Liverpool paid.
"Jeremy was a player that I knew very well, even before signing for Liverpool," the head coach said last week. "Still being young, I think he has all the tools that we will need for that position.
"He also came into the last months of the [past] season with a shoulder injury, but he is fully healed. He has been already training with the U21s. He’s ready to go from the beginning."
In the same vein, Iraola shared that Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch will rejoin the team in the coming days as they continue to recover from the World Cup.
"We have decided now with some who have been left out now since the World Cup," he said during the press conference. "I think the sooner we can start working with them, they can understand what we want, the better. I have talked with them and they understand the main things."
• Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz plan emerges as Liverpool set for next step of pre-season
• Inside Victor Munoz's joyous World Cup celebrations as friends and family involved
Regarding Alisson Becker, Cody Gakpo, and Virgil van Dijk's health, he added that the trio will remain in Europe and will meet with the team soon.
"In terms of days of training, they will start just at the AXA in Liverpool. Virgil has been the player with the most minutes in Europe I would say," he continued. "They will start the same week as the others but instead of making them come here, it makes sense they start the first week at the AXA."
The head coach also said that Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz will be allowed to rest after the World Cup final.
"The most difficult [for pre-season] will be Munoz and Mac Allister because of the World Cup," Iraola said. "I hope they have a holiday and can join us but we cannot just think about the Newcastle, they deserve this rest. All the others should be fine to arrive in perfect condition."
