5 things we spotted from Liverpool training ahead of Leeds clash
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Liverpool live streamed their open training in Chicago on the 31st of July ahead of the final pre-season game against Leeds today in Chicago, and here are the five main things we took away from it:5 - Coaches were involved in every aspectAndoni Iraola and his staff really seem to be implementing exactly what they expect and require from the squad.Througout the open session, it was clear to see them answering questions in detail, ensuring full understanding of what was being discussed before moving on or continuing the session.Liverpool prospect Kieran Morrison highlighted this after scoring the opener against Sunderland:"He's taught me different playing styles, he's telling me things I've never heard of before, and it's obviously paying off."Having a Liverpool fan in Tommy Elphick (first-team coach), who turned down several managerial roles to follow Iraola to Liverpool, will only help in implementing this philosophy of intensity and total understanding. 4 - A change in intensityFrom what I'm watching in training today, the intensity, the pressing, and the constant instructions,I really think Andoni Iraola will succeed at Liverpool.The intensity we've been craving for the past few years is finally back. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/mn6oczWhgH— Anfield Lounge (@AnfieldLounge) July 31, 2026Arne Slot's reign at Liverpool started with the notion that his methods were far less intense than those of his predecessor Jürgen Klopp.
3 - Bajčetić returnsStefan Bajčetić is a player many Liverpool fans have been waiting to see for a while.Joining the club in 2020 from Celta Vigo, he made his first team debut in 2022 during a 9-0 win over Bournemouth.During the 2022-23 season the Spaniard featured several times, across the EFL Cup, Premier League and in the Champions League.Several stand-out performances led him to being voted Liverpool's player of the month for January. At the moment, captain Virgil van Dijk is the only fully fit first team centre-back.And he played 6,141 across 69 appearances for club and country last season.
At 35 years old.Prior to Jeremy Jacquet, Liverpool's last first team signing at centre-back was Ibrahima Konate in 2021. If reports from Italy are to be believed, Fikayo Tomori could be making the move to Merseyside to provide back up, but nothing concrete has come out since.It remains to be seen who will partner Liverpool's captain against Newcastle on the first day of the season, but with two more pre-season fixtures at Anfield to come, we will have more of an idea soon.1 - Isak's sharpness— Anfield Lounge (@AnfieldLounge) July 31, 2026It's not hard to admit last season was a disappointment for many, but Alexander Isak will be more disappointed than most.Signing for a new club for the British-record fee of £125 million, only for the club to be rocked by tragedy that same summer and then suffering a fractured ankle and fibula which kept him out for 106 days was a nightmare start.Add in the fact he had no 'real' pre-season, it wasn't the best start to his Liverpool career.