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Alisson missed Liverpool's two friendlies on Monday(Image: Thomas Tang/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Liverpool manager Arne Slot expects both Virgil van Dijk and Alisson to be available for the Community Shield after the duo missed the Reds' final pre-season friendlies.

Van Dijk and Alisson were absent as Liverpool hosted Athletic Bilbao for two back-to-back games at Anfield on Monday.

Slot confirmed pre-match that captain Van Dijk was ill.



As for Alisson, the goalkeeper had been forced to leave the Reds' pre-season tour of Asia early for 'private reasons' and didn't return for the Anfield double-header.

Liverpool won 4-1 and 3-2 respectively and now their focus turns to the Community Shield against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"I think in both games we created a lot of chances, scored seven goals - four in the first, three in the second - so that's very pleasing to see because we definitely didn't score every chance we had," the Liverpool manager said post-match.

Where will Liverpool finish this season?

So that pleased me most, the ability to create the chances and even to score seven goals over two games is also good."

After making the trip to Wembley for a chance to win the first trophy of the new season, Liverpool will host Bournemouth on Friday, August 15 to begin their Premier League title defence.

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