Liverpool kicked off their pre-season with a small group of players, but there was still plenty to take in. Arne Slot, who recently stepped into his official duties as the new manager, began with a photoshoot and press conference before overseeing the start of pre-season training.
While the club named eight players who were to return, a total of 16 players were spotted at the AXA Training Centre on the first day. They were seen doing gym work and running on the outside pitches in preparation for the upcoming season.
One noticeable change from previous seasons was the replacement of the dreaded lactate test. Under Jurgen Klopp, this test had become a hallmark of pre-season training. However, with Klopp no longer in charge, the Reds were seen doing a six-minute race test instead. This new test evaluates maximal aerobic speed and allows the performance staff to plan accordingly based on each player’s results. It was interesting to see the players pushing themselves to cover as much distance as possible in the allotted time.
It was also reassuring to see some familiar faces in the fitness department and beyond. Conall Murtagh, the first-team fitness coach, was a vocal presence throughout the session, while Jordan Fairclough, the assistant fitness coach, was back working closely with the players. Lee Nobes, the head of physiotherapy, was quietly going about his work as well.
Another notable presence was Ruben Peeters, who acted as the head of performance under Slot at Feyenoord for the past three seasons. Peeters has followed Slot to Anfield and was present throughout the first day of testing. Although he seemed to be easing into his new role as lead physical performance coach, it is clear that he will play an important role in shaping the team’s fitness levels.
Overall, it was an encouraging start to Liverpool’s pre-season. With a new manager at the helm and familiar faces in key positions, there is a sense of continuity as the team prepares for the upcoming season. The new training methods, such as the six-minute race test, show that Slot is putting his own stamp on the team’s preparations. Fans will be eager to see how these changes translate onto the pitch in the coming months.