Six Liverpool players face defining period as Andoni Iraola prepares for big reveal

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But Liverpool supporters are about to learn somewhat more about what to expect from the Andoni Iraola era.After a week of working at the AXA Training Centre, the Reds will jet out on Monday to their base in Chicago for the start of a three-game tour of the United States.Iraola will hold a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the fixtures, which will see Liverpool take on Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday evening before going up against Wrexham in New York in the early hours of Thursday morning UK time and then finishing with a clash against Leeds United in Chicago the following Sunday.With the majority of Liverpool's World Cup contingent unlikely to link up until later in the tour - and finalists Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz not expected to play any part - the senior squad that flies Stateside will be bolstered by a number of Academy players.The game against Sunderland next weekend will represent a first glimpse for fans of the style of play Iraola is eager to impose having been issued the brief of introducing front-footed, urgent and aggressive football to a team that limped over the line of Champions League qualification last term.Of course, unlike predecessor Arne Slot, much is known about the Spaniard's approach after three years of progress in charge at Bournemouth which culminated in a first-ever European qualification for the club last season.But in some respects that will increase both the expectation and demand from fans given Iraola is already steeped in Premier League experience. All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageCurtis Jones is in a similar position regards his contract and despite making almost 50 appearances for Liverpool last term was not a regular in midfield.

The absence of Mac Allister and, at least the start of the tour, Ryan Gravenberch will give Jones ample time to show how he can fit into Iraola's system.Jeremie Frimpong will want to show he has overcome both underwhelming end-of-season form and the disappointment of subsequently missing out on the World Cup with Holland, while Kostas Tsimikas, back from a loan campaign at Roma, can issue a reminder of his left-back claims with a challenger needed for Milos Kerkez.New signing Jeremy Jacquet can both build up match fitness after missing the latter months of last season with Rennes due to shoulder surgery, while also bolstering his claims to start the Premier League term alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.As it stands, though, with Giovanni Leoni still recovering from his ACL injury, it could be argued Joe Gomez is the favourite to line up at Newcastle United on August 23."It's definitely a chance to build a foundation that can give you such a good base for the season," said Gomez of the forthcoming tour."I think in that regard it's hard to state how important it is. I think it's a combination of a new gaffer and having such a good break."He seems like a really nice guy.

I think we're all looking forward to it and we're all excited to have him. We're all hungry and excited to go."Next stop Chicago.