Andoni Iraola was out on the training pitch with some of his senior squad for the first time, the day after it was announced that goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero had left Liverpool.
Liverpool players begin return to training
Eight senior Liverpool players were at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday as Jeremy Jacquet, Harvey Elliott and James McConnell all took part in preparatory fitness sessions under the watch of Iraola.
Photos on Liverpoolfc.com showed the trio being put through their paces outdoors and in the gym, as they prepared for the proper beginning of pre-season next week.
This followed the return of Liverpool’s academy players on Monday, who were also largely doing fitness work ahead of a pre-season in which they will hope to be noticed by the new coaching staff.
Alongside Elliott, Jacquet and McConnell, there were five other senior players in Kirkby, though they were only doing rehab from various injuries, according to journalist James Pearce.
Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Wataru Endo were all present as they continued their respective recovery journeys.
Leoni, Endo and Bajcetic are the players closest to being able to join their teammates, while Bradley and Ekitike still face long periods out.
LFC News: Valero departs, Jikiemi signs & Inter “restart” Jones talks
MILAN, ITALY - Tuesday, December 9, 2025: Liverpool's head of first-team goalkeeper coaching Xavi Valero during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at the Stadio San Siro. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Liverpool goalkeeper coach Valero has stepped down after telling the club that, “before the end of last season,” he wants to return to Spain, reported the Athletic – it will be four GK coaches in four years now
• Colin Stewart, goalkeeper development and pathway lead, will temporarily fill the position when the squad reports back for pre-season next week
• Liverpool have completed the signing of Celtic’s 16-year-old centre-half, Dara Jikiemi, wrote transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano – the club are investing in a host of young defenders at the moment
• Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport say Inter are “set to restart” talks for Curtis Jones – their latest £21.7m bid was swiftly rejected
More from This Is Anfield
Virgil van Dijk has played more minutes in his latest campaign than any other. As a 34-year-old who has just lost his centre-back partner, Ibrahima Konate, he needs support. Joanna Durkan writes:
“Liverpool’s captain was one of only five outfielders to start all 38 Premier League games last season, and the only one to play every single minute of the campaign.
“Across all competitions for his club, he was rested completely only twice and subbed off once – in only the League Cup or FA Cup.
“At 34, soon-to-be 35, it is an impressive personal feat, but Liverpool must now give him the support he needs by further investing at centre-back.”
Football News: Martinez leaves, Rosenior’s new job & Newcastle’s next signing
Liam Rosenior has been sacked by Chelsea (Nick Potts/PA)
• Roberto Martinez has left his job as Portugal manager after their 1-0 defeat to Spain – perhaps he would still be there if he hadn’t pandered to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego
• Liam Rosenior has been appointed the new manager of Paris FC – they finished 11th in Ligue 1 last season
• Celtic have agreed a deal worth around £3 million plus £2m in add-ons for Qarabag forward Camilo Duran (Sky Sports)
• Newcastle‘s next signing, midfielder Sean Steur for £23m from Ajax, will undergo his medical on Wednesday after arriving in the north east (Sky Sports)
Tuesday’s World Cup Fixtures
Argentina vs. Egypt
Round of 16 • Atlanta Stadium
July 7 • 5pm
ITV 1
Switzerland vs. Colombia
Round of 16 • BC Place Vancouver
July 7 • 9pm
ITV 1
*All times BST