Eight Liverpool Stars Fighting to Prove Their Worth This Preseason

This summer's preseason schedule carries greater significance than usual as Andoni Iraola assesses the qualities and shortcomings of his new Liverpool squad.

The former Bournemouth boss succeeded Arne Slot in June and has been charged with bringing his high-pressing style to Anfield following a turbulent 2025–26 season. The World Cup has complicated his opening preseason on Merseyside, but the Spanish coach still has ample time to instill his methods into his new group of players.

Iraola will be eager to make a strong early statement, and the sentiment is shared by those within his talented squad. Many of Liverpool's fringe players and promising academy prospects are desperate to earn the trust of their new manager.

Those who fail to catch Iraola's eye face an uncertain road ahead. Sports Illustrated examines the eight players who must step up before the 2026–27 season gets underway.

Curtis Jones

Curtis Jones may no longer be a Liverpool player by the time the transfer window closes. The homegrown academy product has been heavily linked with Serie A title holders Inter Milan—speculation that first surfaced last January and has returned again this summer.

"I rate Curtis very highly," Iraola said recently. "For me he is a great, great player, and I hope he can continue with us and continue performing the way he has been performing."

The Spanish manager will give the local talent a chance to shine during preseason, and it's vital that Jones delivers. While his ability is rarely questioned, at 25 years old and still short of matching the standards set by his midfield peers, time is not on his side.

It seems unlikely Liverpool would sanction his departure if he can build momentum this summer, and he arrives refreshed after sitting out the World Cup through injury.

Jeremie Frimpong

A difficult debut season plagued by injury has seen Jeremie Frimpong's reputation take a significant hit. Brought in as a successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold, though a very different type of player, the right back was repeatedly sidelined by fitness problems and struggled to make an impact when fit.

The challenge for Frimpong is that he is not a conventional right back—he excelled at Bayer Leverkusen in a wing-back role. Iraola's preference for a flat back four at Liverpool raises further questions about where the Dutch international fits into the system.

Frimpong's omission from the Netherlands squad for this summer's World Cup reflects the disappointing nature of his performances, though Iraola's fondness for attacking fullbacks means he could still find a role for the player in some form.

Harvey Elliott

Few loan moves have gone as poorly as Harvey Elliott's spell at Aston Villa. With the Midlands club contractually obliged to sign the Englishman permanently after a set number of appearances—but quickly losing interest—he was largely sidelined by Unai Emery throughout his time there.

After just nine appearances for Villa, he has returned to Merseyside, and his future at Liverpool looks uncertain. However, the exit of Slot, who never held Elliott in particularly high regard, opens the door to a potential revival.

Elliott is a technically gifted footballer, even if his physicality limits him at the highest level. The 23-year-old could prove a useful asset in Iraola's squad during a congested fixture schedule next season, with his preseason performances likely to determine his fate.

Federico Chiesa

Federico Chiesa has become a genuine fan favourite at Liverpool despite contributing relatively little on the pitch. His relentless work ethic and vibrant personality have won over the Anfield crowd, even if Slot remained largely unconvinced by him.

Chiesa is widely expected to depart after two years at the club this summer, with a move back to Italy considered the most probable outcome. However, Iraola's arrival combined with Liverpool's current shortage of natural wide players could work in his favour.

If the 28-year-old can rediscover the form he showed in his early days at Juventus, he could spare Liverpool some expenditure in the transfer market. He is unlikely to be a regular starter at Anfield, but the prospect of him thriving as an impact substitute and rotation option remains very much alive.

Wataru Endo

Wataru Endō, much like Chiesa, is a firm favourite among Liverpool supporters despite Slot having shown little interest in utilising him. The Japan skipper is celebrated for his combative displays in the holding midfield role and provides versatility as a defensive cover option when needed.

The 33-year-old's contract runs out next summer, and there is virtually no prospect of Liverpool offering him an extension given his age and limited contributions. That said, it doesn't rule out him playing a part in his final year at the club.

Fitness concerns may restrict his involvement in preseason, with the foot injury that ended his campaign also keeping him out of Japan's World Cup squad. Nevertheless, it is not out of the question that he forces his way into Iraola's thinking as a backup in central midfield.

Kostas Tsimikas

Kostas Tsimikas spent last season on the periphery under Gian Piero Gasperini at Roma, but Andy Robertson's move to Tottenham Hotspur now presents the Greek international with an opportunity to reclaim his place as Liverpool's backup left back.

Milos Kerkez, who thrived under Iraola at Bournemouth, will be the clear first choice, but Tsimikas could serve as his understudy. That arrangement would allow Liverpool to avoid dipping into the market for another left back and redirect those funds toward more urgent areas.

Of course, there is a reason Tsimikas was loaned out and rarely made an impression at Roma, and it falls on him to elevate his game during preseason.

Trey Nyoni

Despite being just 19 years of age, Trey Nyoni has steadily accumulated valuable first-team experience at Liverpool. A regular presence in the matchday squad last season, he has now clocked up 20 senior appearances for the club.

Expectations are enormous for the gifted midfielder, who ranks as the fourth-youngest player ever to make an appearance for Liverpool. A genuine opportunity to stake his claim feels imminent—but will it come next season?

There is talk that Nyoni could be sent out on loan for the coming campaign to continue his development, though that outcome is unlikely if Iraola believes he is better served remaining as a squad member. Preseason will be pivotal in shaping the youngster's immediate future.

Stefan Bajčetić

Stefan Bajčetić has endured an extraordinarily difficult two years. The young midfielder burst onto the scene as an exciting prospect under Jürgen Klopp, but his recovery from hamstring surgery 14 months ago has been repeatedly derailed by cruel setbacks.

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Injuries kept him out entirely last season, and his most recent Liverpool appearance came more than two years ago. There remains optimism that the Spaniard can turn his fortunes around once fully fit, particularly given the promise he displayed when breaking into the first team during the 2022–23 campaign.

Iraola has confirmed that the 21-year-old is "doing slowly, slowly better", though he is still not ready to resume training. Whether he will be available for any part of preseason remains uncertain.