Liverpool are continuing to step up preparations before flying out to the United States for their pre-season tour. Arne Slot’s side will play three games in the U.S, starting with Real Betis before taking on Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United.
Upon their return to Liverpool, they will welcome Sevilla to Anfield on August 11 – a week before the new season gets underway. Players who were in action in the Euro 2024 and Copa America will now take a much-deserved break before linking up with the rest of the squad.
Alexis Mac Allister helped Argentina to a second successive Copa America trophy as they beat Luis Diaz’s Colombia 1-0 in the final. Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez both fell short in the Euro final as England fell to a 2-1 defeat to Spain in Berlin.
Anthony Gordon stance
Newcastle United are confident of keeping Anthony Gordon at the club despite uncertainty over his future last month. Liverpool held talks with Newcastle over a possible deal as they needed to raise enough funds to comply with Profit and Sustainability.
However, a transfer did not materialise and talks broke down after Jarell Quansah was requested in return. Despite reports claiming that those news unsettled the England star, Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales believes that he will return ready for the new season ahead.
He said: “With all players they’re professionals and this is the nature of the business where there’s speculation. For us and for Anthony in a personal capacity, not getting more minutes perhaps than he could have in the Euros, Eddie will bring him back in here and he’ll have a chip on his shoulder knowing what Anthony is like. We all know his personality.
“For us and for Anthony in a personal capacity, not getting more minutes perhaps than he could have in the Euros, Eddie will bring him back in here and he’ll have a chip on his shoulder knowing what Anthony is like. We all know his personality.”
Reds reject Sepp van den Berg bids
The Athletic report that Liverpool have turned down offers from German sides Mainz and Wolfsburg for Sepp van den Berg. However, he is catching the eye of Slot after joining the first-team for the start of pre-season.
Despite wanting to reportedly leave Liverpool this summer in search of regular football, he is expected to be given opportunities to shine during the pre-season tour in the United States. Van Den Berg spent last season on loan at Mainz and left a good impression, with the Bundesliga side wanting to bring him back for next season.
Sporting director Christian Heidel has twice opened up about their ongoing pursuit of Van Den Berg. “The only one who has made a decision is Sepp,” he told Kicker last month. “He definitely wants to stay in Mainz. He has said that very clearly in public.”
Meanwhile, speaking to Sky Germany, he said: “It’s difficult, I can’t do that (speed up negotiations). We’re waiting and we’ve been in contact with Liverpool several times.
“When Liverpool starts training, there won’t be a central defender there because they’re all spread out at the European Championships and the Copa America and then they want to take a look and take their time.
“Sepp has made it clear that he would really like to stay in Mainz and we would really like to keep him, now Liverpool have to play along too. We’re giving Liverpool the time and we’re taking the time.”