Arne Slot issues four-man Liverpool injury update ahead of Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace

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Evening Standard

·5 August 2025

Arne Slot issues four-man Liverpool injury update ahead of Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace

Reds were without their influential captain for their final pre-season friendlies

Liverpool boss Arne Slot says captain Virgil van Dijk should be fit for the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace this weekend.

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Van Dijk was a surprise absentee from the two matchday squads on Monday as the Reds concluded their preparations for the new season with a pair of pre-season friendlies against Athletic Club.

With Joe Gomez also unavailable through injury it meant Liverpool lined up with midfielder Trey Nyoni and left-back Andy Robertson in central defence for the first game, while Wataru Endo partnered Ibrahima Konate for the second.

Furthermore, Alisson Becker and Conor Bradley sat out the Premier League champions’ final pre-season fixture, thus placing their involvement in Sunday’s curtain-raiser at Wembley Stadium in doubt.

Speaking before kick-off at Anfield, Slot delivered a four-man Liverpool injury update.

“Almost all of them are fit or stayed fit,” the Dutchman said. “Unfortunately, Virgil is sick today. We miss out on Alisson. Joe Gomez is not there, Conor Bradley is not there.

“But until now we have stayed fit as we wanted to be and new signings came in so they got adjusted to what we want.

“Looking forward first of all to today and then to the next weeks.”

Slot did reveal that van Dijk and Alisson shouldn’t be at risk of missing the Crystal Palace game, but did concede that Gomez and Bradley face a race against the clock to prove their fitness for that clash as well as the Premier League opener at home to Bournemouth.

He added: “Virgil normally not. Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley, it’s going to be tight. Alisson will be back in time as well.”