Liverpool is set to commence its pre-season preparations for the upcoming season, with the squad gathering at the AXA Training Centre. The initial sessions will mark the beginning of a new era under head coach Andoni Iraola, who will be assessing his players and new signings ahead of the team’s departure for a pre-season tour in the United States.
The early days of pre-season are anticipated to feature a mix of established players, recent acquisitions, and promising academy talents. Due to various summer commitments and ongoing injury recoveries, the initial group of players available to Iraola is expected to be smaller than the full squad that will assemble later in the month.
Goalkeeping and Defensive Additions
The goalkeeping unit for the start of pre-season is expected to have a fresh look. New summer arrivals Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman are anticipated to join the squad, alongside highly-rated Hungarian youngster Armin Pecsi. Iraola will be evaluating these options as he shapes his team for the new campaign.
In defence, Jeremy Jacquet has already demonstrated his fitness, having engaged in preparatory work with Liverpool‘s Under-21s at the AXA Training Centre. Jacquet, whose transfer was announced in January, spent the remainder of the 2025-26 season with Rennes. He is now expected to train with the senior group. His recovery follows a left shoulder injury sustained in February, which required surgery. Despite the injury, Jacquet made a full recovery and was observed by Iraola and sporting director Richard Hughes during his preparatory work.
Jacquet will be joined by Joe Gomez, new signings Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, and Kostas Tsimikas. Tsimikas is returning to the squad for the initial phase of preparations after a season-long loan spell at AS Roma.
Midfield and Attacking Options
The midfield will also see several familiar faces report back for duty. Harvey Elliott is expected to rejoin the first-team squad after his time with Aston Villa last season. Elliott, who was on the bench for the Europa League final, made nine appearances across all competitions. With his contract at Anfield entering its final year, he is set to have an opportunity to impress Iraola during pre-season. Other midfielders expected to be available from the first day include Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Trey Nyoni, and James McConnell.
Further forward, the attacking options for the opening sessions are fewer. Federico Chiesa and highly-rated teenager Rio Ngumoha are anticipated to be the only established first-team attacking players present. A number of young talents are expected to be given opportunities to train with the senior squad and potentially stake a claim for involvement throughout the campaign. These include Josh Abe, Jayden Danns, Kieran Morrison, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Lewis Koumas, and Will Wright.
Players Returning Later and Injury Updates
Not all players will be immediately available for the start of pre-season. Several individuals are expected to miss the opening day due to injury, including Vitezslav Jaros, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic, and Hugo Ekitike.
The squad is expected to be significantly bolstered once the team arrives in the United States for the pre-season tour. Captain Virgil van Dijk is anticipated to link up with the squad there, along with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo. Goalkeeper Alisson is scheduled to return slightly later. Additionally, 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.
The pre-season period will be crucial for Iraola to assess his squad and integrate new players as Liverpool prepares for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
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Source: standard.co.uk
As Latest News UK's Sports Reporter, Hannah Whitfield reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name covering the county circuit and Team GB at two Commonwealth Games. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from Loughborough University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Hannah lives in Bristol, where she plays club tennis and coaches a junior side. “Sport is at its best when you let the athletes tell the story.”