Andoni Iraola just laid out the real deal for Liverpool’s pre-season. Key players are on staggered returns, and the new head coach isn’t shying away from admitting it could absolutely mess with the beginning of the season. No fake mystery, just the calendar, the workload, and modern football reality.
Who’s Joining the US Tour Late?
Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Ryan Gravenberch are the big names missing from the initial pre-season tour. Iraola confirmed they’re set to link up with the squad during the second week of the US trip. He was super clear about the plan, stating, “The three players that are going to join us are going to be [in the] second week fully with us.” This gives Iraola precious time to get them physically right and, crucially, understanding his new system. He’s already talked to them individually, saying, “Individually I talked with the three of them, they know the main things, but I am looking forward to having them here with the group and to go slowly, slowly with recovering bodies [to the squad].” New ideas need repetition, right?
AXA Training Centre Gets Some Veterans
Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Alisson Becker have a whole separate plan. These guys will return on similar dates, but instead of hitting the US tour immediately, they’re starting work back at the AXA Training Centre in Liverpool. Iraola explained this approach: “They will, in terms of dates of training, be very similar but they will start training at the AXA in Liverpool.” He cited “different reasons,” specifically noting Van Dijk’s heavy workload as “the player with most minutes in Europe.” The coach feels it’s “sensible with them to start the first week training with a small group or even with younger players” at the AXA before joining the main squad. Sounds like a smart way to manage veteran minutes, but it’s another piece of the complex puzzle for pre-season.
The Real Worry: World Cup Hangovers
Now, here’s where things get a little concerning: Alexis Mac Allister and Munoz. These two went deepest into the World Cup tournament. Iraola is being completely realistic about their situation, admitting, “In the end, I think the most difficult situations logically will be Alexis and Victor because they played until the end of the tournament, so I think they deserve their holidays and some rest also.” He didn’t hide the possible consequences either, stating, “it is true that it will probably affect the beginning of the season a little bit.” Yes, that includes the Newcastle opener. Iraola’s final point was spot on: they “cannot only think in the short term and the first game against Newcastle.”
This pre-season is clearly a juggling act for Iraola. Getting key players back, getting them fit, and getting them to absorb new tactical ideas. With some major pieces returning late, that Newcastle game is going to be a real test right out of the gate. Let’s hope the long-term vision pays off!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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