Liverpool pre-season tracker: Andoni Iraola targets Bradley Barcola after Victor Munoz signing, Joe Gomez injury blow
Updated 03/08/2026 at 07:21 GMT+1
React to this story
Liverpool did not have a very successful time of it last season by their lofty standards, but with a new manager at the helm and plenty of World Cup stars returning, they will be hoping for a much better campaign in 2026/27, even if they have yet to make many signings.
'Leave my family alone or I'm out' - Klopp gives ultimatum after becoming Germany manager
Video credit: SNTV
Liverpool begin their pre-season with a tour to the United States, as they get ready for a very different campaign.
Gone is Arne Slot, who was sacked at the end of May. Now Liverpool will be led by Andoni Iraola as they seek to return to winning ways.
Having lifted the title in 2024/25, Liverpool suffered a loss of form and finished fifth last season, while they exited the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
Iraola's job is to return Liverpool to the top of the standings, easier said than done in the ultra-competitive Premier League.
So far, he has signed Victor Munoz, and inherited the signing of Jeremy Jacquet, while Harvey Elliott has returned from his loan spell at Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Samuel Martinez could be one for the future, with Liverpool agreeing to sign the midfielder from Atletico Nacional ahead of the 2027/28 season.
However, Liverpool will have to contend with the departure of club legend Mohamed Salah.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola is reportedly wanted as Salah's replacement, with the club said to be preparing an opening bid for the 23-year-old, who is valued at around ÂŁ145m and has two years left on his contract.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/18/image-3c4cbd12-a2bf-4486-942b-d0e9507de262-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'He will be a massive loss' - How do Liverpool replace 'incredible' Salah?
Video credit: TNT Sports
They have also said goodbye to fan favourites Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, who have joined Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid respectively.
Iraola has brought on a new goalkeeping coach, Alejandro Rosalen, who has joined the club following the exit of Xavi Valero.
He is also trying to persuade Alexis Mac Allister and goalkeeper Alisson to stay at Liverpool, with both rumoured to be of interest to some other European clubs.
The Spaniard has made no secret of the fact Liverpool need more players, especially given some positions have been weakened by injuries - Conor Bradley, for example, remains some way away from fitness following his knee injury suffered in January.
Liverpool pre-season fixtures and results
| Match | Date and time (UK) |
| Liverpool 4-2 Sunderland | Saturday, July 25, 23:00, Geodis Park, Nashville |
| Liverpool 1-0 Wrexham | Thursday, July 30, 00:30, Yankee Stadium, New York |
| Liverpool 2-4 Leeds United | Sunday, August 02, 21:00, Soldier Field, Chicago |
| Liverpool v Monaco | Sunday, August 09, 14:30, Anfield |
| Liverpool v Como | Sunday, August 16, 18:00, Anfield |
Liverpool pre-season squad
Goalkeepers: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Vitezslav Jaros, Bailey Hall, Harvey Davies
Defenders: Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacquet, Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Calvin Ramsay, Calum Scanlon, Ifeanyi Ndukwe
Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Trey Nyoni, Stefan Bajcetic, James McConnell, Kieran Morrison, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz
Forwards: Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike, Josh Abe, Lewis Koumas, Rio Ngumoha, Will Wright, Josh Sonni-Lambie, Alexander Isak
- Manchester United pre-season tracker: New signings Santos, Tielemans join Red Devils
- Aston Villa forward Rogers completes British-record ÂŁ117 million move to Chelsea
Liverpool have welcomed back some of their players who featured in the World Cup, as well, with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz having linked up with the squad in the US.
Alisson, Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk should also be back training soon - but Iraola confirmed they will begin their pre-season sessions in Liverpool, rather than the States.
Mac Allister and Munoz will be the final players to rejoin the squad, after both were involved in the World Cup final.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/07/31/image-147a49fb-eb48-4458-b261-6ac342421bda.jpeg)
Dominic Szoboszlai leads Liverpool out in New York
Image credit: Getty Images
What has the manager said?
Iraola was asked for an update on signings on Thursday after it was revealed that Joe Gomez would miss the start of the season because of a muscle injury.
"No, right now, you've seen [in] these games we are pretty thin in the centre-back position," he said.
"We still don't have Virgil [van Dijk]. The only real centre-backs we have right now are Mor [Talla Ndiaye] and Ife [Ndukwe] that are 18 years old, just arrived to the club, and they are doing incredibly well.
"Yesterday [against Wrexham], Luke Chambers played there, he is not a centre-back, but he played really, really well. We will have to [do that] until we recover some bodies.
"I think Jeremy [Jacquet] is ready to go. We will recover Virgil, but I'm happy that playing against Sunderland and against Wrexham - good teams - with 18-year-old centre-backs, the team has showed composure, solidity at the back and that speaks very well about them."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/07/31/image-1b04052a-5dd3-46cf-bab9-ac3c3425b729.jpeg)
Andoni Iraola speaks to reporters
Image credit: Getty Images
Isak, signed from Newcastle United last summer, is back in training following his World Cup campaign with Sweden.
Iraola said: "I think he has come in a good place. I think he was good in the World Cup. I think I've seen a good version of Alex.
"Still, it's very early, because he has just started training. But I hope he can have some minutes against Leeds, and build a proper pre-season.
"It's not going to be very long, but he will have three or four weeks of quality training, I hope, and then we can put him in a good place, because he's going to be massive for us this season."
What have the players said?
Milos Kerkez expects an "aggressiveness" to return to Liverpool's style of play under Iraola.
"I think the heavy Liverpool team that Liverpool used to be - press, front foot, everyone in front," the left-back told the club website. "Like I said, front-foot, full pressing.
"Anfield, obviously, is going to push us a lot, give us also that energy. When they see us pushing a lot, they're going to give us big support home and away.
"So the big difference is going to be, I think, the pressure, the pressing, the aggressiveness in our game this year."
Trey Nyoni sees the pre-season matches as an opportunity to prove his worth to his new boss: "It’s exciting times ahead. It’s been good to be back and to see everyone again and I’m ready to go.
"There are still a few players away [due to the World Cup] so obviously there’s an opportunity to play [in the USA] and just show what I can do in that sense. But I’ll just go out there and just enjoy it and just try to do my best."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/07/22/image-6faef262-8928-4f93-9253-f009bbf8154d.jpeg)
Trey Nyoni trains with Liverpool
Image credit: Getty Images
And so far, the 19-year-old is enjoying working with Iraola: "He’s very friendly, he’s very welcoming to everyone and I think he communicates quite well. Managers will always have their different styles, it’s just about us adapting to it. But it is exciting.
"At the minute I’m just focused on performing as well as I can in training and games, and just trying to enjoy my football as well."
New signings watch
Munoz was the first player signed by Iraola, but Liverpool fans will have to wait for his debut, given he has earned a period of rest following his World Cup exploits.
The Spanish star joined the club from Osasuna "on a long-term contract".
Jacquet, meanwhile, was signed by Slot, with the agreement meaning he saw out the remainder of the 2025/26 season at Stade Rennais.
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement