Ekitike included in Liverpool’s USA tour

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Click Liverpool or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool have named their initial squad for the pre-season tour of the USA. The new Reds’ head coach will be running the rule over his charges as they face Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United beween July 25 and August 2.

An initial 31-man squad will travel across the Atlantic with several players involved in the World Cup set to join the group before the Wrexham game. Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo are also set to be afforded extended breaks ahead of the Premier League opener at Newcastle United on August 23.

With provisional first-team numbers set to be thin, Iraola has included a number of academy prospects as well as players unavailable through injury. Ekitike remains sidelined with a ruptured Achilles which curtailed his debut season and has targeted the festive period for his planned return to action.