Why only 8 Liverpool players met Andoni Iraola this week before start of pre-season

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Andoni Iraola has begun work as Liverpool head coach, with several players, including Harvey Elliott and Jeremy Jacquet, undertaking some training ahead of pre-season startingLiverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during a training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Andoni Iraola will officially kick off pre-season preparations with Liverpool next week, but some of his new squad are already back in the building as they look to give themselves the best chance of impressing.The likes of Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajcetic and Jeremy Jacquet were spotted in training with their new boss on Tuesday. Wataru Endo was also present as he recovers from the injury that kept him out of the World Cup, with Giovanni Leoni continuing work having not been seen much since the ACL injury he sustained last September.Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley are also continuing their recovery from long-term injuries, while James McConnell, who was on loan at Ajax in the first half of last season, was also present.The next group of players to return is likely to include Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez, who missed out on the World Cup when Hungary failed to qualify.Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones and the others to have had a free summer will also come back next week.

Both of those players have a decision to make on their future.Those who did take part in the World Cup will be given longer to rest. That includes players like Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands, and Alisson Becker, who was with Brazil.Stefan Bajcetic of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on July 07, 2026 in Kirkby, England(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)The only two Liverpool stars who are still involved in the tournament are Alexis Mac Allister and new signing Victor Munoz, though the latter is yet to feature for Spain after entering the competition with an injury."The senior players that have played in the World Cup, they've been feeling the pressure, they've been playing for their countries, and I think they need and deserve a rest," Iraola said when he arrived at Liverpool."And also this allows us to give also important minutes to train more closely with the young players that probably we don't know as well."Because we've been here already three seasons, playing a lot of times against Liverpool, and there are players that we already know.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign."But there are other players probably that haven't had the minutes, have played for the development squad, have been on loan somewhere, and I think those trainings, those minutes will be very valuable for us to take decisions."Liverpool will take on Sunderland in its first pre-season friendly. That game is in Nashville a week after the World Cup final, with fixtures against Wrexham and Leeds to follow Stateside.When Liverpool returns to England, it will face Como and AS Monaco at Anfield before starting the new Premier League campaign away at Newcastle United.