Andoni Iraola has outlined his plans for Liverpool’s pre-season campaign.
Iraola was confirmed as Arne Slot’s successor on Thursday after signing a two-year contract fresh from leaving Bournemouth at the end of last season.
The Basque coach will prepare for his maiden year in the Anfield hot seat with a tour of the United States at the end of July followed by two home friendlies.
Eight of Iraola’s inherited squad face a delayed start to life under their new boss due to their respective involvements in this summer’s World Cup.
However their absences are set the open the door for the Reds’ fringe players from the academy to have active involvements in the Stateside sojourn.
“Everything has happened very quickly,” said Iraola.
“Just finished the season [which] is when we really started thinking, ‘OK, what is going to be the next step?’
“Now that we know what’s happening, I want to get ready.
“Also, the World Cup being there, we will have a chance to work especially with some of the young players.
“A lot of the senior players have been out and are arriving later with the World Cup
“So I think it gives us the chance to know better the players from the academy, some of the players who have been on loan.
“They will be an important part of the first part of pre-season, the American tour, and I think in that way it works very well for us.
“Because it will give us a lot of the information before we take really decisions, before we start the season.”