Liverpool give update on Benteke and Firmino ahead of final pre-season games

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Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino have not been included in Liverpool’s squad for our fifth pre-season friendly in Helsinki on Saturday. A 16-man travelling party was named earlier today, but neither of our new men were listed.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the two players – who signed from Aston Villa and Hoffenheim respectively earlier this summer – were not deemed ready to make the trip, having not featured in any of our games thus far, and will instead remain in England.

The Echo states that both players could still feature in the game against Swindon Town on Sunday, although a decision has yet to be made on this.

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Other notable absentees from the Finland trip include Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno and Emre Can, who like Firmino has only recently returned to training following an extended leave of absence – granted following his participation in an international tournament this summer.

However, Philippe Coutinho – who joined Firmino at the Copa America with Brazil – does make the trip, and is in line to make his first appearance for Brendan Rodgers’ side since the start of the new campaign.

The full squad for tomorrow’s game is: Pedro Chirivella, Nathaniel Clyne, Philippe Coutinho, Ryan Fulton, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson, Jordon Ibe, Danny Ings, Ryan Kent, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Joe Maguire, Simon Mignolet, James Milner, Divock Origi, Martin Skrtel.

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