As Liverpool’s pre-season kicks into gear, loads of gamers might be trying to impress Arne Slot forward of the brand new Premier League marketing campaign.
The Reds’ first pleasant of the summer time takes place at Preston on Sunday (3pm BST), which guarantees to be an emotional event after the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
New signings comparable to Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez might be hoping to impress, whereas others additionally have to catch the attention.
Listed here are eight Liverpool gamers who’ve a degree to show this pre-season.
Giorgi Mamardashvili
Giorgi Mamardashvili has now arrived from Valencia, making it clear that he intends to push Alisson exhausting to be Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper.
“They’re taking a look at me because the Liverpool goalkeeper for the subsequent 10 years,” the Georgia worldwide has mentioned.
Mamardashvili has his work lower out in the case of ousting Alisson, however wholesome competitors can solely be a optimistic for Slot.
A powerful pre-season will assist hold Liverpool’s present No. 1 on his toes, to not point out displaying that he may be his long-term successor.
Alisson solely has two years remaining on his present Reds deal, and if he does depart subsequent summer time Mamardashvili will hopefully be primed to fill the void seamlessly.
Conor Bradley
The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold led some to marvel if Conor Bradley could be Liverpool’s go-to right-back subsequent season.
The arrival of Frimpong means that’s now not a assure, however that’s to not say that the Northern Irishman doesn’t have an enormous function to play.
Bradley will know that Frimpong might take time to regulate to his new environment, so some convincing pre-season performances might result in the previous beginning in opposition to Bournemouth subsequent month.
It isn’t going to be straightforward for the 22-year-old to nail down a spot in Slot’s strongest XI, however he’s maturing quickly as a participant and has proven he’s now a dependable possibility.
He must be utilizing pre-season as a chance to showcase his expertise.
Andy Robertson
By his world-class requirements, Andy Robertson‘s kind dipped final season, and the necessity for a youthful left-back to come back in turned clear.
Kerkez has arrived and Robertson now faces one of many greatest challenges of his profession.
Whereas the Scot had thought-about a transfer to Atletico Madrid amid curiosity from the Spanish membership, he now seems resolved to remain and battle for his place.
“I’m not getting any youthful. I can’t change my age, however I nonetheless imagine I’ve bought quite a bit to offer and that’s what I give attention to,” Robertson mentioned on Liverpool’s pursuit of Kerkez final month.
“I give attention to myself – you possibly can’t give attention to different folks or who you’re competing with.”
It will be similar to Robertson to up his sport and hold out the spectacular Kerkez, however he might want to discover an improved degree in pre-season to take action.
Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo has earned his cult hero standing, however the Japanese remains to be preventing to maintain his place in Liverpool’s squad.
The midfielder has confirmed his plan to remain this summer time, insisting he wouldn’t finish his Reds profession “simply to go elsewhere,” displaying that he’s comfortable to stay a squad participant.
Honestly, it might be unusual if Slot noticed Endo as dispensible, with the Dutchman little question valuing his expertise and crew ethic.
That mentioned, pre-season is a crucial interval for the Japan captain, primarily by way of proving that he has extra to supply than he was afforded final season.
Dominic
The signing of Wirtz is vastly vital for Liverpool, however Dominik Szoboszlai might have reacted otherwise than others to his arrival.
The German is at his greatest within the No. 10 place that Szoboszlai has taken up at Anfield, with the Hungarian nonetheless dividing opinion within the function.
His work price is astonishing, however a scarcity of finish product has been geared toward him, with six targets and assists apiece within the league final season far fewer than Wirtz’s tally of 10 and 12 respectively for Bayer Leverkusen.
Slot might plan to make use of Szoboszlai extra as a No. 8, which the midfielder sees as his greatest place, so will probably be fascinating to see the plan for him in pre-season.
Wherever he performs, although, he might have to provide an eye catching summer time to maintain his place within the crew as Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister appear surefire starters.
Harvey Elliott
It looks like Harvey Elliott‘s Liverpool profession is nearing its finish, with Slot unable to vow him common soccer.
After a triumphant star flip for England’s U21s on the Euros this summer time, there’s loads of curiosity within the 22-year-old.
If Liverpool don’t contemplate him an necessary participant, cashing in on him could be the proper name, however having one final look in pre-season is smart.
Elliott is such a gifted footballer however he lacks the dynamism of the opposite midfielders, and Wirtz’s arrival additional pushes him down the pecking order.
Slot’s choice might already be made up when it comes the boyhood Liverpool fan, however a press release pre-season would do him no hurt.
Ben do
Ben Doak‘s future continues to be a key speaking level at Liverpool, following a season out on mortgage at Middlesbrough.
The 19-year-old has even been linked with a shock transfer to Everton, however now is a chance for him to indicate that he could be a dependable squad participant for the Reds.
Doak was working exhausting on his health earlier than pre-season even bought underway, following an injury-hit spell in 2025.
The jury is out on whether or not the winger has sufficient to make the grade at Liverpool, however now’s the time for him to show himself.
It’s straightforward to envisage Liverpool accepting a bid for Doak, however equally, impressing in pre-season – each in video games and in coaching – might persuade Slot to maintain him on as a backup choice to Mohamed Salah.
Jayden Danns
Very similar to Doak, accidents have hampered Jayden Danns, with a mortgage transfer to Sunderland ruined by a again concern that prevented him from enjoying a single minute.
Again on the AXA Coaching Centre, the younger striker will look to capitalise on curiosity from elsewhere in Darwin Nunez, probably turning into a squad participant subsequent season.
The heartbreaking passing of Jota can be an element for Liverpool to deal with in attacking areas.
Danns is such a gifted prospect, and it might be that one other mortgage transfer is extra appropriate, however he has proven previously that he can maintain his personal at first-team degree.
Three targets in 9 appearances for Liverpool are a testomony to that, and will probably be thrilling to see what he can supply within the coming weeks.