BREAKING: Arne Slot explains Virgil van Dijk and Conor Bradley absences from Liverpool friendlies
The Reds will play two games against the Spanish side to continue their preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League season. Slot has named his first side for the game that kicks off at noon ET, and a stronger starting XI is expected at 3 p.m. ET.
However, Slot has confirmed that neither captain Van Dijk nor right-back Bradley will play for Liverpool on their return to the outfield. Van Dijk will miss the games due to illness, while Bradley is absent due to an injury that could affect his participation for a couple of weeks.
READ MORE: First Liverpool team vs Athletic Club confirmed as Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister start
READ MORE: Newcastle's $93M transfer battle with Man Utd could open door for Harvey Elliott to leave Liverpool
Reds goalkeeper Alisson will also miss the action at Anfield due to a personal matter. The shot-stopper's wife, Natalia Becker, underwent a successful surgery.
It will also be Liverpool's first game back at Anfield since the tragic death of Diogo Jota, who passed away last month following a car crash in Spain alongside his brother. Fans have already been paying tribute to Jota outside Anfield, and further remembrances of their former No. 20 are expected inside the stadium.
There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Liverpool.com will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.
Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story as they happen.
Follow @Liverpoolcom_ : The official Liverpool.com account for all the latest sports news as it happens in real time.
Follow us on Facebook or visit Liverpool.com homepage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What happened ahead of Liverpool vs. Athletic Bilbao game as fans evacuated from Anfield
Liverpool's team news had just been confirmed when suddenly sirens began to sound inside Anfield. Was this a drill or something more serious? In a summer of devastating news at Liverpool, it's easy to jump to conclusions. Thankfully, it proved to be a false alarm, but staff initially weren't sure as a voice boomed over the public address system telling everyone to exit the ground before the friendly against Athletic Bilbao. Journalists and staff located in the Main Staff press room shuffled out and congregated outside, while supporters situated just over an hour before kick-off were forced to do the same. Staff soon were demonstrating a slightly greater sense of urgency in ejecting those still in stadium, presumably, without being sure what was actually going on. READ MORE: Liverpool pays tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva ahead of Athletic Bilbao friendlies READ MORE: Arne Slot explains Virgil van Dijk and Conor Bradley absences from Liverpool friendlies Thankfully, this was a sunny - although very blustery - afternoon on Merseyside, so waiting in the fresh air didn't prove to be be a huge problem. Had it been a mid-winter night this could have been a different story. In the meantime, team news began to filer through ahead of the second game. Arne Slot confirmed Virgil van Dijk was ill and Conor Bradley has suffered a minor knock. None of the reporters in the ground were able to type the news on their laptops, so social media updates had to do. Then, news came through via Liverpool FC Help on X: This was merely a technical error. "Shortly before 15:50 p.m. there was a false alarm in the Anfield Main Stand, leading to supporters in that area of the stadium to be temporarily evacuated," the club explained in a post. "Fans are now being let back into the Main Stand and there is no expected delay to KO. Thank you for everyone's co-operation." It didn't immediately lead to those milling about outside be readmitted, though. In fact, it was another 30 minutes until security staff were allowed to let fans enter once again. Outside the media entrance, an exception was made for club staff, who were crossing the threshold with a flash of a pass. In the end, it wasn't until 15 minutes before kick-off that the doors fully opened. Understandably, that many people entering the ground isn't a quick process, and at certain areas of it took things moved at a snail's pace. In the press box, one reporter missed the first goal by the time he took his seat. Most importantly, it was an episode that passed without any major incident. Before the game even started, fans were signing the name of the late Diogo Jota. That put the minor inconvenience into perspective.
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sheff Wed players want answers 'to avoid strike action'
Sheffield Wednesday's players have not ruled out going on strike as the uncertainty at the club continues. The Championship side have endured a torrid off-season, with players and staff seeing their wages delayed in May, June and July. Over the summer the club have been handed a number of registration embargoes, boss Danny Rohl has left by mutual consent, the North Stand has been closed by the council amid concerns over its structural integrity and owner Dejphon Chansiri is looking to sell - although no progress has been made with any potential buyers. Wednesday, who are scheduled to start the league season with a trip to relegated Leicester City on Sunday, were supposed to face Premier League Burnley in a training match on Saturday but the game was cancelled after they refused to play. 'Decision to withdraw not taken lightly' In a statement seen by BBC Radio Sheffield, the players said: "As has been well publicised, players, coaching and club staff groups at the club have all been impacted by delayed and overdue payment of salaries. "This has been a worrying time for us as players but, whilst we are often the ones in the spotlight, we are not the only ones involved. We stand together in support with all our colleagues employed by the club who have been affected. "Players and staff are now feeling real, practical impacts in their professional and personal lives and we are extremely concerned at the lack of clarity regarding what is happening and when this will be resolved. "The decision taken by the players to withdraw from the planned friendly with Burnley was not taken lightly or without consideration. "We are fully aware of the added concern this will have caused supporters but trust there is a real understanding of the difficult position we have been put in. "We want to reassure fans that there has not been, and will not be, any 'downing of tools' by any of us on the training ground, and we are all working as hard as we can and supporting each other, the manager and staff. "However, we, like you, want our focus to be fully on what happens on the pitch and the new season ahead. "This is proving to be really challenging and we have made it clear to the club that we want this situation to be addressed as soon as possible so decisions taken like the one not to play at Burnley are avoided in the future. We can then all move forward together as a club." Latest Sheffield Wednesday news, analysis and fan views Listen to Sheffield Wednesday content on BBC Sounds
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Newcastle United make Malick Thiaw enquiry
Newcastle United have enquired about AC Milan's Malick Thiaw. Thiaw has been on the Magpies' radar for the past two years and has emerged as a target once again this summer as Newcastle gear up for another campaign of European football. Newcastle scouts reportedly watched the 23-year-old during Milan's pre-season tour in Hong Kong, where he impressed in a 4-2 triumph over Premier League champions Liverpool. The Magpies were strongly linked with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi last summer, albeit to no avail. They are still in the market for defensive reinforcements. Thiaw was wanted by Como earlier this summer. Despite Milan accepting an offer, the German opted against a move. This has opened the door for Newcastle to lure Thiaw to St James' Park. Thiaw would offer Newcastle versatility along with youth and experience. While he is primarily a centre-back, he can also fill in as a right-back or defensive midfielder. He would form a robust partnership with Sven Botman, which would be capable of competing domestically and in Europe. Newcastle have other players on their defensive wishlist, including Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini and Roma's Eva Ndicka. They could also reignite their interest in Guehi as he enters the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.
