Andoni Iraola reveals concern over new Liverpool defensive signing | OneFootball

Liverpool Team News: Gravenberch, Isak and Wirtz Set for Leeds Friendly Return

Liverpool will finally get a proper look at three major names in Chicago. Ryan Gravenberch, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are all expected to feature against Leeds United at Soldier Field, with Andoni Iraola confirming the plan ahead of Sunday’s pre-season fixture.

That matters. These are not fringe players needing a token run-out. They are key parts of Liverpool’s build for the new season, and after arriving late to the USA camp, the head coach wants them on the pitch now, even if only in controlled spells.

Iraola was clear enough: “With Florian, Ryan and Alex, they’ve been the ones arriving late.” He added, “I think we’ve been cautious in terms of giving them the time to reach to the level where the others are, because they’ve been training for two weeks before them, but my idea is that the three of them will play the last game against Leeds.”

Gravenberch, Isak and Wirtz Minutes Managed

No mystery here. Liverpool are not going to overload any of them. Iraola said, “Probably we’ll have to restrict their minutes. We still have another three weeks before the start of the season where they will play more, we can push them more.” That is sensible, especially at this stage of pre-season.

There was also a telling line from the head coach, and it goes to the point of these friendlies. “But I think we need them to start as soon as possible because sometimes they have to make the mistakes now, so we can have time to correct them.” That is honest coaching. Better the errors arrive in July than when the Premier League starts.

Jeremy Jacquet Fitness Decision Still Pending

One player still in doubt is Jeremy Jacquet. The summer arrival missed the games against Sunderland and Wrexham after suffering what was described as “discomfort” in training, and Liverpool are not forcing the issue.

Iraola said, “With Jeremy we still don’t know if it’s worth it or not to put him in against Leeds.” He also made the wider situation plain: “He did the first part of the pre-season, let’s say, very well. Now he’s feeling some discomfort, so we don’t want to rush him.”

That caution is understandable. Jacquet has had a long spell without playing, and Liverpool are already light in senior central defence. As Iraola put it, “He comes from a lot of months without playing. And obviously I would like to try with him with Virgil [van Dijk] when he recovers, because with the injury of Joe [Gomez] we’ve been without senior centre-backs. But we have to be careful with Jeremy, yes.”

Bajcetic and Endo Boost for Liverpool

There is better news elsewhere. Stefan Bajcetic is effectively back in full training, while Wataru Endo is also closing in on a return. Iraola said, “Stefan is training basically fully with the team. Wataru has started training more progressively but [is] very close to being ready.”

There is even a target for Endo’s comeback. “I hope Wata can play probably against Monaco. He should be able to have some minutes.” For more on Liverpool’s latest pre-season updates, details were first outlined here. For now, the headline is simple, Gravenberch, Isak and Wirtz are set to play, and that gives Liverpool’s pre-season some proper substance.