'Absolute class' Van Dijk successor jets out to join Liverpool preseason tour | OneFootball

Liverpool took an initial 31 players to the United States as part of their 2026/27 preseason tour.

Three more in the case of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch are expected to jet out following the first fixture.

All three were knocked out of the FIFA World Cup at the first knockout stage and are reaching the end of their scheduled summer breaks.

Liverpool play Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday night before facing matches against Wrexham and Leeds United. Yankee Stadium will host the Wrexham game on July 30 before the clash against Leeds at Soldier Field on August 2.

No Virgil van Dijk on preseason tour

The Reds under new head coach Andoni Iraola will then conclude their preseason preparations on home soil.

Iraola’s side will play AS Monaco and then two matches against Como - one behind closed doors - before the big kickoff against Newcastle on the opening weekend of the season.

It’s been confirmed that three of Liverpool’s biggest stars will NOT be joining the tour - and will instead only join in when the team gets back to Merseyside.

Virgil van Dijk, winger Cody Gakpo and goalkeeper Alisson Becker will be playing no part in the Stateside programme and are not scheduled to jet out like Wirtz, Isak and Gravenberch.

In the case of Van Dijk it’s understandable why he would be absent.

“It certainly makes sense giving Van Dijk more time off, given the demands placed on the 35-year-old centre-back for both club and country over the past 12 months,” a report on the Athletic reads.

Iraola therefore won’t have long to get a look at Van Dijk but will no doubt be aware of his qualities already.

Watch out for Mor Talla Ndiaye

In the meantime there is a golden chance for one defender in particular to impress Iraola.

Hopes are high around Mor Talla Ndiaye - an 18-year-old Senegal youth international recently tipped for FIFA World Cup stardom.

Ndiaye was signed from FC Amitie in Senegal back in January - impressing Liverpool under-21 head coach Rob Page from the off with the Welshman calling him "absolute class".

The elegant left-footer was even included in four Premier League squads by head coach Arne Slot - underlining the faith shown in him by decision-makers at Anfield.

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Ndiaye jets out to join preseason tour

Ndiaye jetted out to join his teammates on the preseason tour after a visa issue prevented him making the initial scheduled flight - taking the total number of players in the USA to 32.

With that travel hiccup behind him the centre-back should be able to take his place in the lineup for the game against Sunderland on Saturday night.

Liverpool are without Giovanni Leoni at this stage with the Italian not yet fit following his ACL injury last year.

Joe Gomez and Jeremy Jacquet are likely to be entrusted with starting duties by Iraola but don’t be surprised if Ndiaye ends up stealing the show in America.

Given his qualities and preference to play on the left side of the defence there is every chance that Ndiaye can be groomed as a Van Dijk successor.