Arne Slot’s arrival as the new head coach marks an important milestone for Liverpool, as they prepare for the upcoming season. Having joined from Feyenoord, Slot brings a fresh perspective and new game plans to the team. However, time will be limited for the squad to adapt to these changes before the new campaign begins.
Slot has outlined his plan for pre-season, with the aim of having players who are not involved in international tournaments start training in the first week of July. This early start will give them a head start in terms of fitness and preparation. It’s an opportunity for the players to familiarize themselves with Slot’s tactics and build chemistry with the new coaching staff.
Liverpool has already confirmed three friendlies as part of their tour of the United States, which will be their first visit to the region since 2019. The team is set to depart around July 23 and will face tough opposition in the form of Real Betis, Arsenal, and Manchester United. These fixtures will provide valuable match practice and allow Slot to assess his squad’s progress.
However, there is a possibility of more friendlies being added to the schedule, including local games before their trip across the Atlantic. These additional games would provide further opportunities for players to showcase their abilities and stake a claim for a spot in Slot’s plans for the upcoming season.
One major challenge for Liverpool is the potential absence of several key players due to their involvement in Copa America and the Euros. The length of their break will depend on how far their respective teams progress in the tournaments. For example, if a player’s team is eliminated in the group stages of the Euros, they would be expected to report to Liverpool in the week commencing July 15. This could impact players such as Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Diogo Jota, among others.
With the new season set to kick off on the weekend of August 16/17/18, there is not much time for the squad to regroup and prepare. It will be crucial for those returning from international duty to quickly integrate into Slot’s plans and build chemistry with their teammates.
In conclusion, the upcoming pre-season is an important period for Liverpool as they adapt to a new head coach and face the challenge of integrating players returning from international tournaments. The friendlies in the United States will provide valuable match practice, and additional games may be added to further assess the squad’s strength. The team will need to quickly establish Slot’s game plans and build chemistry to hit the ground running when the new season begins.