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Faster, faster: Iraola in a rush to plug Liverpool gaps before Premier League starts
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is working urgently to prepare his side for the Premier League season, with the club’s pre-season programme disrupted by player absences and injuries. Defensive shortages are especially concerning, leaving Iraola needing both quick solutions in training and possible transfer-market cover before the campaign starts in three weeks.
Eight first-team players have been away on post-World Cup holidays and six others are injured, including centre-backs Jérémy Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez. Liverpool face Leeds in Chicago on Sunday, when Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are expected to make their first pre-season appearances after the club’s combined £241m investment; Iraola plans to use Wirtz behind the striker to support Isak and/or Hugo Ekitiké.
In short
- Iraola faces an urgent pre-season injury crisis, particularly in defence.
- Liverpool have several senior players absent through holidays and injuries.
- Wirtz and Isak should feature against Leeds in Chicago.
Explained simply
The Premier League is England’s top football competition, and clubs use pre-season to prepare through training and friendly matches before the league campaign begins. A new head coach must learn how his players work together and settle on a team, while also managing injuries and players returning at different times.
Andoni Iraola is Liverpool’s head coach, responsible for training, team selection and tactics. Centre-backs are defenders who play in the middle of the defence, so having several unavailable can limit a team’s options at the back; clubs can also seek cover by signing players.
Florian Wirtz is an attacking midfielder, while Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké are strikers. Iraola’s plans for them reflect the task of fitting new players into the side, as Liverpool balance preparations for the season with gaps in the squad.
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