Friday, July 17, 2026

Liverpool defenders, Van Dijk, Gomez return ahead of pre-season

Van Dijk and Gomez have not played since October and November respectively after sustaining serious knee injuries.

• July 9, 2021
Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk
Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk [Photo Credit: Metro]

Long-term injured defenders Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez plus new signing Ibrahima Konate will all kick off pre-season at Liverpool’s training camp in Austria on Monday.

Van Dijk and Gomez have not played since October and November respectively after sustaining serious knee injuries.

But they will join up with a 34-man squad at their base in the state of Tyrol.

The squad however has missing players in those who were, or still are, involved in Euro 2020 and the Copa America.

Konate will meet his new teammates for the first time following his 36-million-pound (49.7-million-dollar) move from RB Leipzig.

Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had to pull out of England’s Euro 2020 squad on the eve of the tournament with a thigh muscle tear, is also in the squad.

He is there along with 11 academy players.

“We look forward to going to Austria again for the start of our pre-season. All the conditions to prepare the team there are just at a very high level,” assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders told the club homepage.

“We will use this to go back to basics. When you ask a lot from your players you have to give a lot as well —- and we find all of this in Austria.”

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

BRICS

World

China’s digital experience can drive BRICS economic transformation: Expert

He said China could contribute to BRICS’ digital transformation in three key areas: digital infrastructure, e-commerce platforms and innovation coordination.

World

Eight killed, 34 missing in China landslide

Chinese authorities said more than 1,000 residents were evacuated from the affected area.

Garfield Sobers

Sport

Cricket icon Garfield Sobers dies at 89

He was knighted after retiring from the sport in 1974.

Oluyemisi Rosiji

Lagos

Lagos council chairman lauds community over voters’ awareness campaign

She said the committee’s efforts on registration, transfer, data correction and PVC validation support the administration’s drive to boost democratic participation in Ojokoro LCDA.

Uba Sani of Kaduna State (Credit: Twitter)

States

Uba Sani compensates residents over road projects

The governor inaugurated the distribution of cheques in Basawa, Sabon Gari Local Government Area, on Friday.

Court room

Lagos

Disengaged soldier arraigned for allegedly stealing motorcycle

The magistrate adjourned the case until August 13 for mention.