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With the World Cup approaching its decisive stages and almost three weeks remaining before Liverpool return to the AXA Training Centre for pre-season, this period offers players not involved in North America a chance to rest, recover and reset ahead of the new campaign.
It also marks another fresh start for the Reds under new head coach Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot following a disappointing Premier League title defence.
As is typical in summers featuring major international tournaments, Liverpool will begin pre-season without several senior players, giving fringe members, academy prospects and new signings an early opportunity to impress.
However, although Andoni Iraola was appointed earlier this month, Liverpool have yet to confirm his full backroom staff. Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper are expected to join as assistants, alongside analyst Tom Webber.
His long-serving fitness coach Pablo de la Torre is also set to arrive at the AXA Training Centre. According to Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle, confirmation of Iraola’s backroom staff is expected to be announced before the start of pre-season.
Doyle said: “Liverpool have previously stated they will announce Iraola’s backroom staff in due course. It’s believed he wants to be reunited with his Bournemouth assistant coach Tommy Elphick, set-piece coach Shaun Cooper and analyst Tom Webber, although all require negotiation as they are still under contract at the Cherries unlike fitness coach Pablo de la Torre, who is a free agent.
“Thiago Alcantara has also been touted as potentially being part of the new-look coaching set-up and has teased as such on social media. Appointments will be confirmed before the start of pre-season in a few weeks.”
Liverpool have already confirmed the departures of assistant coaches Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Sipke Hulshoff, along with lead physical performance coach Ruben Peeters.
First-team tactical analyst Roderick van der Ham is also understood to have left following Arne Slot’s sacking at the end of May.
Van Bronckhorst and Hulshoff have since returned to Feyenoord, taking up roles as head coach and assistant, respectively, after leaving Slot’s staff. Slot’s next move remains unclear, with the 47-year-old having already rejected an approach from Fulham.