Liverpool name initial 31-player squad for USA pre-season tour
Liverpool’s USA Tour Preparations
Liverpool have announced an initial 31-player squad for their pre-season tour of the USA. The team departed from John Lennon Airport on Monday afternoon, heading to their training base in Chicago. This tour is a significant step for new head coach Andoni Iraola as he begins to implement his vision for the squad ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The Reds will participate in three matches across three states over the next fortnight before returning to Merseyside in early August.
The tour schedule includes matches against Sunderland, Wrexham, and Leeds United. The first friendly is set against Sunderland at Nashville’s Geodis Park on July 25. Following this, Iraola’s squad will face Wrexham at New York’s Yankee Stadium on July 29. The final match of the tour will be against Leeds United at Chicago’s Soldier Field on August 2. After the game against Leeds, the squad will fly directly back to Merseyside, with further pre-season friendlies scheduled at Anfield against Monaco and Como on August 9 and 16, respectively.
The squad travelling to the USA includes several players who will continue their injury rehabilitation programmes with the club’s medical team. Additionally, some senior players are expected to join the group later in the tour after fulfilling their World Cup commitments. Among the initial travelling party are Gomez, Endo, Jacquet, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Bradley, Chiesa, Leoni, Jones, Elliott, Tsimikas, Ekitike, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Frimpong, Abe, Nyoni, Bajcetic, Chambers, Ramsay, Scanlon, McConnell, Jaros, Koumas, Morrison, Ngumoha, W. Wright, Hall, Sonni-Lambie, Ndukwe, and Davies.
Squad Details and Player Focus
Several key players, including Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Alisson, Alexis Mac Allister, and Victor Munoz, will not be part of the initial squad due to their World Cup commitments. However, Gravenberch, Wirtz, and Isak are anticipated to link up with the squad next weekend, ahead of the final two matches in New York and Chicago.
The tour provides an opportunity for players recovering from injuries, such as Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, and Conor Bradley, to continue their rehabilitation in the States. Jeremy Jacquet, a new signing from Rennes, is fit to play after recovering from a shoulder injury that affected his previous season. His inclusion offers fans a first look at the French defender. The absence of some senior players also creates a platform for the club’s younger talents to impress Iraola and potentially secure a place in his plans.
Players like Harvey Elliott, who recently returned from a loan spell, will be looking to make an impact during the tour. Curtis Jones, whose contract situation is similar, will also aim to demonstrate his suitability for Iraola’s system, particularly with Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch initially absent. Jeremie Frimpong will seek to overcome recent form issues and his disappointment of missing the World Cup with Holland. Kostas Tsimikas, back from a loan campaign, will also aim to reaffirm his position at left-back.
Commercial Importance and Fan Engagement
The USA tour holds significant commercial importance for Liverpool, building on existing sponsorship deals with U.S.-based brands and an expanding fanbase across the country. The club has commercial staff based in Boston and New York, and this tour is crucial for strengthening current relationships and attracting new business, especially given the interest generated by the World Cup in the States.
Club legends including Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Phil Thompson, and Tash Dowie will be present on the trip to engage with sponsors and supporters at various events. The LFC Foundation coaches will also host football clinics for local youngsters. Additionally, Adidas is scheduled to launch Liverpool’s new away kit at an event in Brooklyn on July 28, the day before the match against Wrexham.
Supporters in the USA are eagerly anticipating the tour. Tripp Taraldsen, secretary of the Official Liverpool Supporters’ Club (OLSC) Nashville, expressed excitement about the new manager and the opportunity to see emerging talents. Ben Prout, president of OLSC Chicago, highlighted the significance of the tour for many members who will have their first chance to watch Liverpool live. Standard admission tickets for all three matches remain available, with prices varying by location.
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Source: liverpoolfc.com
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
