15 Liverpool players set to start pre-season training tomorrow | OneFootball

Liverpool Pre-Season Begins Under Andoni Iraola as New Faces Report to AXA

Liverpool get back to work on Tuesday at the AXA Training Centre. This is the first proper step into the Andoni Iraola era, and there is no time to waste. The squad head to the United States in just a week, which means these opening sessions matter. A lot.

Pre-season always starts in fragments. Some players are back, some are still away, some are injured, and a few youngsters suddenly find themselves training with the senior side. That is the reality here too. The group reporting first will not look anything like the one Liverpool expect to have available by the time the Premier League season comes into view.

In goal, the early shape of the squad looks different already. Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to be involved from day one, alongside fellow arrival Freddie Woodman. Young Hungarian goalkeeper Armin Pécsi is also likely to get a close look as Iraola starts making decisions.

Goalkeepers and defenders report early

At the back, Jérémy Jacquet has already shown his fitness levels after working with Liverpool’s Under-21s and is now expected to step up to the senior setup. Joe Gomez will be there, as will new signing Milos Kerkez and another arrival, Jeremie Frimpong. Kostas Tsimikas also returns for the opening phase after a season-long loan at Roma.

Photo: IMAGO

That gives Iraola a decent defensive base to start with, even if it is far from complete. It is enough for work on shape, pressing, distances and basic patterns, which is what the first week is usually about.

Midfield options offer familiar quality

Midfield looks more stable. Harvey Elliott is expected back with the first-team squad after his loan spell at Aston Villa last season. Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell should also be available immediately.

That mix matters. There is senior quality there, but also legs and energy from younger players who know this is a chance to be noticed. Iraola will want intensity, and this group should provide it.

Attack looks light before USA tour

Further forward, Liverpool are thin for now. Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha are expected to be the only established first-team attacking options in the opening sessions. That leaves room for academy players to fill the gaps and, more importantly, to make a case for themselves.

Josh Abe, Jayden Danns, Kieran Morrison, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Lewis Koumas and Will Wright are all expected to be involved. This is where pre-season can change things. One strong week can earn a tour place, and one strong tour can alter a season.

Injuries and late returns will shape the picture

Not everyone is ready. Vítězslav Jaros, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajčetić and Hugo Ekitike are all expected to miss the opening day through injury.

The squad should look stronger once Liverpool reach the United States. Virgil van Dijk is expected to link up there with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo. Alisson is due back slightly later, while Alexis Mac Allister and Muñoz may not return until the middle of August after deep World Cup runs.

For now, this is a partial squad and a short runway. For Iraola, that is enough to start. He does not need everyone on day one. He needs standards, clarity and tempo. The rest can follow.