Alisson Becker still out as Dutch duo begin Liverpool pre-season
Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo have started Liverpool pre-season at the AXA Training Centre, while Alisson Becker remains away after World Cup leave and the club's US-tour absence plan. The Dutch pair began gym and pitch testing ahead of the Reds' second pre-season friendly.
Key Takeaways
- Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk reported to the AXA Training Centre for day-one gym and pitch work after World Cup rest.
- Alisson Becker was among the senior players held back from Liverpool's United States tour to start training in Kirkby.
- Ryan Gravenberch had already rejoined the travelling squad after the Netherlands' World Cup exit on penalties to Morocco.
- Liverpool's second US friendly is against Wrexham at Yankee Stadium, with the AXA returnees not part of that touring group under Andoni Iraola's plan.
Why does Alisson Becker's absence matter right now?
New head coach Andoni Iraola staggered World Cup returns so key players could recover properly. Reporting on the tour plan said Alisson Becker, Van Dijk and Gakpo would start at the AXA Training Centre rather than fly out to join the squad in America.
That workload call keeps the No. 1 out of the US friendlies while the Dutch contingent has now completed its first session back. For fans tracking availability, Alisson Becker's delayed ramp-up is the clearest goalkeeping story of this pre-season phase.
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What did Van Dijk and Gakpo actually do on day one?
Liverpool FC confirmed the Netherlands duo reported on Tuesday and started preparations after a break following the World Cup. Official club coverage shows day one included testing work in the gym and on the pitch, captured for All Red Video subscribers.
The Liverpool Offside noted Van Dijk used his short holiday publicly, including a Wimbledon appearance, before linking up again. Iraola will value his captain's presence as the squad learns a new coaching approach at the spine of the side.
How does this shape the second friendly and beyond?
The Reds were due to take on Wrexham in New York at Yankee Stadium, with uncertainty over minutes for any newly returned senior players. Under Iraola's explained plan, Van Dijk, Gakpo and Alisson Becker miss the US friendlies and look toward later Anfield tune-ups instead.
Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch had previously rejoined the travelling group after Oranje's Round-of-32 penalty defeat to Morocco. That split return—some in the United States, some at AXA—defines Liverpool's early pre-season timeline.
Until Alisson Becker reports for the same Kirkby programme Van Dijk and Gakpo have begun, Liverpool's first-choice spine remains only partly reassembled for the new campaign.