Andoni Iraola confirms plan to unleash four Liverpool stars imminently

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Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is already looking ahead to the team's next preseason challenge, with some key returns to the side for the clash with Leeds in ChicagoAndoni Iraola has claimed some key players will return for Liverpool's next preseason friendly(Image: (Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images))Liverpool is set to be bolstered by the return of four key stars in preseason, as Andoni Iraola moves closer to having a full team of senior players at his disposal.So far, the Reds have competed with a mixture of academy stars and first-team options, with the extended World Cup resulting in a late return for a core group of players.

That mixture within the roster currently in America has picked up two victories, beating Sunderland and Wrexham, as Iraola looks to implement his style of play ahead of the new campaign.There have been some standout performers, particularly from the academy, as Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha continue to make a mark when around the senior players.While that duo is in line for more opportunities, there could be limited minutes for some others due to the return of some regular starters within the team.The trio of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch are in line to feature against Leeds in the next friendly, following their late return due to the World Cup, while Jeremy Jacquet is set for a place in the team after overcoming a small injury concern.Iraola revealed the plan to unleash all four in the next game, as he told the press: "Yes, my idea is for Ryan, for Florian, for Alex, for even Jeremy Jacquet to have their first minutes against Leeds."We’ll see how many minutes they can play, but we have to start slowly, slowly integrating more of the senior players that have had less training sessions. I think they should be ready on the weekend to have their first minutes."Alexander Isak was one of three players to return to training with Liverpool on Sunday(Image: Liverpool FC)It comes as a welcome boost for the manager, who will be moving closer to the team he will expect to field against Newcastle on the opening day of the Premier League season.There are still some key absences for the head coach beyond Iraola's four returning players, however, which will see some returns again in the coming weeks.Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and Cody Gakpo have all made their way back to training, but only at the AXA Training Centre, as the coaching team looks to ease them back into action, meaning they won't feature in friendly action until the Reds return to the United Kingdom.There will also be a wait for Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz, with the pair still on vacation following their involvement in the World Cup final.Then there's the case of new potential signings.Liverpool is in talks to land Bradley Barcola, and should a deal get done, it's unclear how far along in his preseason journey he will be.It sets up a staggered return for many of the players, which is a challenge that Iraola is having to deal with ahead of the start of the new season.