Liverpool’s USA Tour Preparations
Liverpool have announced an initial 31-player squad for their pre-season tour of the USA. The team departed from John Lennon Airport on Monday afternoon, heading to their training base in Chicago. This tour marks a significant period for new head coach Andoni Iraola as he begins to implement his strategies for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
During the fortnight-long tour, Liverpool will compete in three matches across three states before returning to Merseyside at the beginning of August. The squad includes several players who will continue their injury rehabilitation programmes with the club’s medical staff. Additional senior players are expected to join the group later in the tour, following their commitments in the World Cup.
The tour is also commercially important for the club, building on existing sponsorship deals with U.S.-based brands and engaging with a growing fanbase in the country. Liverpool has commercial staff based permanently in Boston and New York, and this trip aims to strengthen existing relationships and attract new business.
Squad Details and Fixtures
The initial squad for the USA tour features players such as Gomez, Endo, Jacquet, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Bradley, Chiesa, Leoni, Jones, Elliott, Tsimikas, Ekitike, Mamardashvili, Woodman, Frimpong, Abe, Nyoni, Bajcetic, Chambers, Ramsay, Scanlon, McConnell, Jaros, Koumas, Morrison, Ngumoha, W. Wright, Hall, Sonni-Lambie, Ndukwe, and Davies.
Some players, including Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, and Conor Bradley, who are recovering from long-term injuries, are set to travel and continue their rehabilitation in the States. Jeremy Jacquet, a French defender, is fit to feature after recovering from a shoulder injury that affected him last season.
The tour schedule includes three friendly matches. The first is against Sunderland at Nashville’s Geodis Park. This will be followed by a match against Wrexham at New York’s Yankee Stadium. The final game of the tour is scheduled against Leeds United at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Liverpool will use Chicago as their primary training base, flying to Nashville and New York for their respective matches before returning to Illinois. After the game against Leeds, the squad will fly directly back to Merseyside. The pre-season schedule will then conclude with further friendly matches at Anfield against Monaco and Como on August 9 and 16, respectively.
Impact on Players and Fans
The tour provides an opportunity for younger players to impress Andoni Iraola, especially with several senior players absent due to World Cup commitments. Players like Harvey Elliott, who spent last season on loan, and Curtis Jones, who is in the final year of his contract, may see significant playing time. Jeremie Frimpong will also aim to demonstrate his form after missing out on the World Cup with Holland, and Kostas Tsimikas, returning from a loan spell, will look to reinforce his position at left-back.
Joe Gomez, a defender, commented on the importance of the tour for building a strong foundation for the season. He highlighted the need to adapt while staying healthy and ready. Gomez also noted the positive mood at the training ground, attributing it to the arrival of the new head coach and a recent break.
Fans in the U.S. are expressing enthusiasm for the tour. Tripp Taraldsen, secretary of the Official Liverpool Supporters’ Club (OLSC) Nashville, mentioned the excitement surrounding the new manager and the opportunity to see emerging talents. Ben Prout, president of OLSC Chicago, highlighted the chance for many members to watch Liverpool live for the first time, noting the similarities between Liverpool and Chicago.
Club legends such as Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Phil Thompson, and Tash Dowie will also be part of the trip, participating in various meet-and-greet events with sponsors and supporters. Additionally, LFC Foundation coaches will conduct football clinics for local youngsters, further engaging the community.
The new Adidas away kit for Liverpool is set to be launched at an event in Brooklyn on July 28, ahead of the match against Wrexham.
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Source: liverpoolfc.com
As News-GB.org's Sports Reporter, Eleanor Vance reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name on long-form athlete profiles. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Bath and completed an NCTJ diploma. Eleanor lives in Bath, where she swims competitively and follows British athletics. “A profile is only as good as the questions behind it.”