Liverpool: Iraola prepares for pre-season with new and returning players
Liverpool is set to commence preparations for the upcoming season with manager Andoni Iraola. The pre-season training officially begins on Tuesday at the AXA Training Centre, marking the start of a new era for the club. Players not involved in the latter stages of the World Cup are expected to be present, alongside new signings and academy prospects.
The initial phase of pre-season will be crucial for new arrivals to integrate and for returning players to demonstrate their capabilities to Iraola. The squad will depart for a pre-season tour in the United States just one week after the first training sessions on Merseyside.
Squad taking shape for early training
The first group of players reporting for pre-season is anticipated to be smaller than the full squad that will assemble later in the month. This is due to several senior international players still being away on summer commitments and others recovering from injuries.
In goal, Liverpool is expected to feature a new-look unit. Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman, both summer arrivals, are set to join the squad, along with Hungarian youngster Armin Pecsi. Iraola will assess these options as he prepares for the new season.
Defensively, Jeremy Jacquet has already demonstrated his fitness by undertaking preparatory work with Liverpool‘s Under-21s at the AXA Training Centre. He is now expected to train with the senior squad. Jacquet’s transfer to Liverpool was announced in January, and he spent the remainder of the 2025-26 season with Rennes. During his time with Rennes, he played a total of 159 minutes before sustaining a left shoulder injury on February 7th against Lens, which required surgery. He has since made a full recovery.
Other defenders joining the early pre-season sessions include Joe Gomez, new signings Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, and Kostas Tsimikas, who returns from a season-long loan spell at AS Roma.
Midfield and attack options
The midfield will see the return of several familiar names. Harvey Elliott is expected to report back with the first-team squad. Elliott was on the bench for the Europa League final, earning a winner’s medal, and made nine appearances across all competitions. He has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield and is set to have an opportunity to impress Iraola during pre-season. Other midfielders available from day one include Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Trey Nyoni, and James McConnell.
Forward options for the initial sessions are fewer. Federico Chiesa and teenager Rio Ngumoha are anticipated to be the primary established first-team attacking players present. A number of youngsters, including Josh Abe, Jayden Danns, Kieran Morrison, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Lewis Koumas, and Will Wright, are expected to participate in training and potentially contend for involvement throughout the campaign.
Players expected to miss early sessions
Several players are not expected to be available immediately due to injury. This group includes Vitezslav Jaros, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic, and Hugo Ekitike.
The squad is expected to be significantly strengthened upon their arrival in the United States. Captain Virgil van Dijk is anticipated to link up with the team there, along with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo. Alisson is scheduled to return slightly later, while Alexis Mac Allister and Munoz may not be available until around the middle of August following their deep runs in this summer’s World Cup.
On Thursday, Iraola and sporting director Richard Hughes observed Jeremy Jacquet at the AXA Training Centre.
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Source: standard.co.uk
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
