Liverpool Pre-Season Preview: Tactics, Academy & Signings | OneFootball

Following the return of 15 senior players on 14 July, Iraola’s first pre-season at Liverpool is well underway, with the club scheduled to travel to the States on 21 July. While there, they will face Sunderland at GEODIS Park on Saturday 25 July (23:00 GMT). Liverpool will then face Wrexham in New York before taking on Leeds in Chicago ahead of returning to the UK to face AS Monaco and Como at Anfield.

What to look out for…

New tactics

With the team’s visit marking the start of Iraola’s era at Liverpool, supporters will be looking for early signs of an organised press, quicker transitions and greater intensity out of possession. Pre-season is unlikely to reveal the finished product, but the foundations should already be visible, with performances expected to improve as players become more familiar with Iraola’s methods before the start of the Premier League campaign on 23 August against Newcastle at St. James’ Park. The new head coach has already admitted that his approach will need to be adapted to Liverpool’s squad. This could potentially cloud fans’ predictions for how the Reds will set up, something which will make these games all the more intriguing.

The academy

Supporters should also anticipate academy involvement throughout pre-season, with talents like Josh Abe potentially making his first pre-season appearance for the side, whilst the return of striker Jaden Danns could excite. Danns has endured an injury-hit season as he only made one 15-minute cameo for the first team against Southampton. Former Salford striker Will Wright will also be hoping to impress Iraola as Hugo Ekitike’s injury creates an opportunity for someone to provide cover for Alexander Isak’s position in the squad.

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New signings

Liverpool’s new No.5 Jeremy Jacquet will be ready for the US tour, as the Frenchman has been seen training with the U21s, including ball work and playing in small-sided games. Supporters will be wondering whether the defender is ready for Premier League football and if he is fully equipped to replace the departed Ibrahima Konaté.

Contract discussions

Several first-team futures could become clearer during pre-season. While Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo all continue to be linked with moves elsewhere, it appears as if Dominik Szoboszlai is close to signing a new contract. This follows reports from Hungary as well as from journalist Ben Jacobs, who has revealed that Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to sign a new deal with the club.

Szoboszlai had two years remaining on his contract after he signed for the club in 2023. The 25-year-old is coming off the back of his best personal season at the Reds, winning the side’s player of the season award as well as recording 13 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. The midfielder was also tested in a wide variety of positions, proving to the sceptical members of the fan base what a crucial player he is for the team.

Selection, minutes and tactical roles over the coming weeks could all offer hints about where players such as Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo fit into Iraola’s plans.

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A mixture of results

In conclusion, pre-season should never be judged purely by results but instead by how established Iraola’s tactical blueprint is. Liverpool supporters should focus on the importance of the development of Iraola’s playing style, the integration of new signings and giving opportunities to younger players.

By the time the Premier League begins, the scorelines will be forgotten, but performances will remain in the memory. Liverpool must look like a team beginning to understand the ideas of their new head coach and ready to execute them fully by the end of the friendlies.