Confirmed: The players Liverpool will be missing this pre-season while they try to win the World Cup
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Liverpool’s pre-season will be interrupted this summer as the World Cup takes place in the USA, Canada and Mexico.Arne Slot could do with a full summer of work on the training pitches with his players, but in reality the damage could have been much worse, with only nine of the first-team squad called up for the tournament.After the Netherlands named their squad on Wednesday – and left Jeremie Frimpong at home – Liverpool now know exactly which players will arrive late ahead of the new Premier League season. Who has been the most disappointing Liverpool signing? 😬 Four Liverpool players could win the World CupAfter the disappointment of a dismal season at club level, Liverpool fans should be looking forward to the summer festival of football that is the World Cup.The Reds do not have a brilliant history of players who have won the trophy while playing for the club, but after the squads were announced for the 2026 edition, there will be four who have their eye on a potential winner’s medal.Perhaps the most likely of those is Ibrahima Konate, who may yet leave the club before the tournament ends.
The centre-back was a runner-up for France in 2022, and though he has a battle on to nail down a starting spot in Didier Deschamps’ defence, he will be a key part of the squad at the very least.Meanwhile, the man who beat him to the trophy in 2022, Alexis Mac Allister, is still yet to be named in Argentina’s squad, but is very likely to be given the chance to go back-to-back with the Albiceleste.Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Grading every Liverpool signing’s 2025/26 season as Arne Slot’s first spending spree failsAlisson Becker has been passed fit after playing in Liverpool’s final game of the season, and while the Brazilian had looked like he may actually be another to leave the club this summer, he now seems set to stay. Alisson will start as their goalkeeper.Lastly, although Liverpool’s Dutch contingent may have something to say about it, the final Red who may have a realistic shot at the trophy is Florian Wirtz, who will hope to put an underwhelming debut campaign at Anfield behind him as he stars for Germany.Dutch trio lead the best of the restThe Dutch have steadily been improving in recent years having made the quarter-final in Qatar four years ago and the semis at Euro 2024.Virgil van Dijk captained them on both occasions and will do so again at what could be his last major tournament.
Which Liverpool player would you most like to see lift the World Cup this summer? Fallon/AFP/Franco Arland/Marcelo Endelli He will be joined in the Oranje squad by Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo, who are both likely to be starters for Ronald Koeman.Gakpo in particular has tended to show up on the big stage and will have his eye on the top scorers after bagging three times in Qatar.Isak and Endo hoping to shake off injury woesOne player who could arguably do with a full pre-season more than any other this summer is Alexander Isak.However, after Sweden qualified through the back door, the No.