The wait is almost over.
After weeks of transfer speculation, managerial changes and international football, Liverpool’s preparations for the new season officially begin on Tuesday, 14 July, as the first group of senior players return to the AXA Training Centre.
For Andoni Iraola, it marks the first real opportunity to begin implementing his ideas on the training pitch and assess the squad he has inherited.
According to reports, the following senior players are due back for the opening day of pre-season:
● 🇬🇪 Giorgi Mamardashvili
● 🇫🇷 Jeremy Jacquet
● 🏴 Joe Gomez
● 🇭🇺 Milos Kerkez
● 🏴 Harvey Elliott
● 🇭🇺 Dominik Szoboszlai
● 🏴 Curtis Jones
● 🏴 Rio Ngumoha
● 🇮🇹 Federico Chiesa
● 🇳🇱 Jeremie Frimpong
● 🇬🇷 Kostas Tsimikas
● 🏴 Freddie Woodman
● 🏴 Trey Nyoni
● 🏴 James McConnell
● 🇭🇺 Árpád Pécsi
Source: @LusbyJack
A Fresh Start for Everyone
While supporters naturally focus on new signings, pre-season offers something just as important: a clean slate.
Every player starts again.
Every position is up for grabs.
And every training session provides an opportunity to impress the new head coach.
That should be particularly encouraging for players such as Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa, all of whom will be eager to establish themselves under Iraola.
Young Talent Ready to Shine
Perhaps the most exciting names on the list are those coming through Liverpool’s academy.
Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell have all earned widespread praise for their development, and pre-season could provide the perfect stage to demonstrate they are ready for greater responsibility.
Iraola has built a reputation for rewarding young players who perform.
If these youngsters impress over the coming weeks, they could force their way into Liverpool’s plans for the season ahead.
New Faces Settling In
Supporters will also be keen to see several recent arrivals begin life at Kirkby.
Jeremie Frimpong’s pace and attacking threat should make him one of the most exciting players to watch, while Jeremy Jacquet and Giorgi Mamardashvili will begin adapting to Liverpool’s demands after joining the club this summer.
For Milos Kerkez, pre-season offers the chance to continue building his understanding of Iraola’s football after already working under the Spaniard earlier in his career.
Building Fitness and Identity
Results in pre-season rarely matter.
What supporters will be looking for are signs of progress.
Can Liverpool press with greater intensity?
Will the team move the ball quicker?
Will Iraola’s ideas already be visible?
Those questions are likely to dominate discussion throughout the club’s preparations.
The Countdown Begins
This week’s return to training signals the true beginning of Liverpool’s new era.
Transfers may still come and go before the window closes, but the foundations for the 2026/27 season will start being built on the training pitches at the AXA Centre.
For Liverpool supporters, it is the first real glimpse of what the future under Andoni Iraola might look like.
And after a summer full of uncertainty, football is finally back.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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