A group of players returned for their first day of training today. I put together an eleven from the players who returned day one. Kelleher Bradley Quansah VDB Tsmikas Bajcetic Elliott Jones Doak Carvalho Gordon Subs: Morton, McConnell, Phillips, Beck That’s a pretty exciting group of players that Slot gets to work with right away.
Beck should be given the #2 LB role. Morton is probably ahead of Baj as he's actually kicked a ball in the last 15 months.
With Szoboszlai returning alongside Andy Robertson and Vitezslav Jaros on Tuesday, three of Liverpool’s 14 international stars are now back. Of the remaining 11, the next to have exited the summer tournaments was Diogo Jota with Portgual. While Szoboszlai, Robertson and Jaros were all out by June 26th, Jota did not end his participation until July the 5th. As a result, it could still be more than a week before we see the next new arrival on Merseyside. Alisson Becker should come after, with Brazil heading out of the Copa America two days after Portugal in the Euros. Liverpool head to the United States soon, with their first pre-season fixture now just 10 days away. You’d imagine that any arriving after Alisson and Jota will have to join up in the US.
In the past there has always been more preseason friendlies. We would usually play a couple against lower league opposition like Tranmere before heading in the tour. It was always fun to get to see a lot of the youngsters. This time, the first time we will get to see a Slot team will be in America.
Mo Salah returned to LFC in incredible shape and went to the top of the leaderboard in Arne Slot's punishing six-minute race test. He knocked Sepp van den Berg off the top of the leaderboard. (via @AnythingLFC)
It's ok Sam, preseason is the time for minor mental lapses. We expect you to be sharper once the season starts for real.
I don't think I've ever seen SvdB play football. he seems to get good reviews and very solid stats. why is he not a nailed-on CB in our squad?? anyone ever seen him play?
Since his positional move from the cane to the walker he's been adapting better to the new patterns of play....
Arne Slot will take charge of his first match as Liverpool manager on Friday. The Dutchman is set to oversee a behind-closed-doors friendly against Preston North End at the AXA Training Centre. Maybe this is what you were on about ,Sam.
Why not just make the friendly official and show it live from Deepdale? I would've even made the short travel up to see it. Anyway just counting down the days now until July 26th. Betis is good level opposition to kickstart this mini pre-season tour.
Is that in Anfield? I might be in Copenhagen that week, so I could spirit myself away for the day....