Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he will be taking his squad to Germany for a pre-season training camp, as he vows this summer “must be different.” Planning for pre-season is well underway, with Klopp keen to ensure the right foundations are laid for 2023/24 having learned from the problems of last summer. The manager has confirmed that his players are to have at least a three-week break before returning to training, with some to have up to four dependent on their international schedule. Klopp did not hide his contempt at his internationals heading straight into camp after the conclusion of the season as he is eager for his squad to “start [pre-season] together.”
Klopp said that the pre-season return date is the eighth of July for some players and the 11th of July for others. He added that they will start at the AXA Training Centre for three or four days for testing and then go on the training camp to Germany, where they can work properly with the whole squad. This is in contrast to last year when the club had to go to Asia for a friendly tournament, and Klopp lamented the timing of the trip. This year, however, they will have a one-stop tour later in the schedule, allowing Klopp to work closely with his squad on the training ground first.
Klopp also said that they had to plan pre-season without knowing if they would be in the Champions League final, and if it happened they had to deal with it. He added that last year’s pre-season was never perfect but it was not the reason for their season now, and this year must be different. Klopp will be eager not only to have his squad together at the earliest opportunity but also any new signings as the Reds look to bounce back from a lacklustre season.