Liverpool conclude their United States pre-season tour in Chicago on Sunday. Having already beaten Sunderland 4-2 in Nashville and Wrexham 1-0 in New York City, Andoni Iraola's team will take on Leeds United at Soldier Field, with the new head coach likely to name his strongest lineup yet. So, here is all the team news ahead of this clash in Illinois.
Jérémy Jacquet: Participation in doubt
Last weekend, Iraola forecast that Jérémy Jacquet would be able to appear for the first time in a Liverpool shirt against Leeds. He stated "we decided to take it easy", adding that the Frenchman "will play probably in the last game of this tour". However, Jacquet was not involved in an opening training session on Friday, putting his participation in doubt.
Jacquet has not played any football at all since February, when he suffered a serious shoulder injury playing for Stade Rennais against Lens, requiring surgery. Thus, Iraola is right to be ultra-cautious, but his continued unavailability still is far from ideal.
Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch: Available for selection
Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch all landed in the United States last weekend, so have had a full week of training with the rest of the squad. Thus, Iraola confirmed that the trio will feature for the first time this pre-season against Leeds, albeit most likely to do so from the bench.
Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Cody Gakpo: Back at home
Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Cody Gakpo have all also commence their pre-season preparations this week, but have instead done so at AXA Training Centre. This is to ease the trio back into the campaign, after the Dutch duo accumulated a mind-boggling number of minutes last season, while the goalkeeper nursed persistent injury issues. Thus, they are not available for Sunday's game.
Alexis Mac Allister and Víctor Muñoz: On holiday
Liverpool's last two World Cup representatives are still on holiday. New signing Víctor Muñoz and Alexis Mac Allister were on opposite sides at MetLife Stadium, a match that took place just a fortnight ago. FIFPRO regulations dictate that players are required to have a minimum of three weeks holiday, meaning both can return to training after next weekend's clash with Monaco at Anfield.
Joe Gomez: Set for a spell on the sidelines
The number one thing all managers are desperate to avoid during pre-season is injuries, but Iraola has failed in this quest. Joe Gomez hobbled off inside ten minutes against Sunderland in Tennessee, with the head coach confirming on Thursday that he has suffered a muscle injury, and will be sidelined for a few weeks. This will see Gomez sit out the Reds' Premier League opener at St James' Park against Newcastle on 23 August.
5 players still long-term absentees
Five Liverpool players remain sidelined long-term, all of whom have been with the rest of the group in Chicago, either training or rehabilitating. Conor Bradley is still a few months away, after suffering a serious knee injury in January. Hugo Ekitiké ruptured his Achilles tendon against Paris Saint-Germain in April, so is forecast to sit out, pretty much, the entire campaign.
There is more positive news on the other trio. Stefan Bajčetić, Wataru Endō and Giovanni Leoni are all substantially closer to being available again, albeit this clash with Leeds will come too soon.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Wrexham
- Giorgi Mamardashvili
- Jeremie Frimpong, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Luke Chambers & Miloš Kerkez.
- Trey Nyoni, Harvey Elliott & Dominik Szoboszlai.
- Federico Chiesa, Will Wright & Rio Ngumoha.
What time does Liverpool vs Leeds United kick off?
Liverpool take on Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. The match kicks off at 3pm local time, which is 9pm in the United Kingdom.
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