Firmino, Alisson, and Alexander-Arnold Join Pre-Season Training

Liverpool head to France to continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2018-19 season and with three more first team players now back in the fold it leaves just Jordan Henderson and Dejan Lovren missing when it comes to potential week one starters.

Brazilian international Roberto Firmino is back, and new signing Alisson joins up as well today. Trent Alexander-Arnold also returns, coming back a week ahead of schedule after playing a limited role for England and requesting an earlier pre-season return date.

England teammate Jordan Henderson, having played a more involved role in England’s World Cup semi-final run, remains on holiday, as does Croatia’s Dejan Lovren. Both are likely to return next week and will likely not be in contention to start against West Ham.

Belgium’s Simon Mignolet also remains on holiday, though the hope is that a new home can be found for the goalkeeper before his scheduled return date, and even if he remains at the club it is unlikely he would be involved for the club early in the upcoming season.

It’s also worth noting in Mignolet’s case that despite the Premier League transfer window closing on Thursday, August 9th, that date is only the last day on with Liverpool can register a player signed for the coming season—meaning sales can still be made after the 9th.

With most leagues still operating with a transfer window that closes on the 31st of, Mignolet could be sold or loaned out until the end of August. The same could end up being true for other fringe first team players whose role for the coming season is in doubt.

On that front, with Ben Woodburn, Sheyi Ojo, and Pedro Chirivella all left ofd the squad set to train in France over the next five days, it seems safe to assume all three are on the verge of departing, while it’s a mild surprise to see Danny ings and Divock Origi included.

Liverpool Pre-Season (France) Squad:

Goalkeepers: Kelleher, Grabara, Alisson, Karius
Defenders: Van Dijk, Klavan, Moreno, Robertson, Phillips, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Clyne, Matip
Midfielders: Milner, Keita, Fabinho, Grujic, Lallana, Camacho, Wijnaldum, Jones
Forwards: Sturridge, Ings, Origi, Shaqiri, Salah, Mane, Firmino, Solanke.