Liverpool’s pre-season sees Andoni Iraola‘s side face five different clubs on two continents, but how does it compare to their Premier League rivals?
It is another summer of change for the club after they appointed their second head coach in three seasons, with Iraola now responsible for preparing the team for the new season.
The Reds have five friendlies confirmed ahead of their Premier League opener at Newcastle, including a three-stop tour of the United States before a return to Anfield.
It is in line with the Premier League average this summer, with Aston Villa, Everton, and Sunderland the notable exceptions with (7) fixtures.
Iraola will welcome his World Cup players back throughout the pre-season schedule, but how involved they will be remains to be seen after their respective summer breaks.
As for Liverpool’s Premier League rivals, here is how their summer schedule compares.
• Arsenal (5 friendlies)
Girona – Spain – August 1
Real Betis – Dublin – August 5
Borussia Dortmund – Emirates – August 9
Como – Emirates – August 12
Man City (CS) – Millennium Stadium – August 16
The Gunners have five friendlies scheduled and are staying close to home, making trips to only Spain and Ireland as they look to reduce the toll on their players.
Notably, all their fixtures are scheduled from August 1 onwards.
As the current Premier League champions, they will finish their summer with the Community Shield clash against Man City, which is being held at the Millennium Stadium in Wales this year.
• Chelsea (5)
Xabi Alonso has left Real Madrid after less than eight months in charge (John Walton/PA)
Xabi Alonso has left Real Madrid after less than eight months in charge (John Walton/PA)
Western Sydney Wanderers – Sydney – July 28
Tottenham – Sydney – August 1
Juventus – Hong Kong – August 5
AC Milan – Jakarta – August 8
Johor Darul Ta’zim – Malaysia – August 9
There will be plenty of time spent on aeroplanes for Chelsea as they travel to Sydney, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Ex-Red Xabi Alonso is now at the helm after they moved on from Liam Rosenior at the end of last season as their rotating door of managers continued.
You have to wonder how long Alonso will stay.
• Man City (4)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 27, 2023: Leicester City's manager Enzo Maresca during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 27, 2023: Leicester City's manager Enzo Maresca during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Inter – Hong Kong – August 1
K-League All-Starts – Seoul – August 5
Atletico Madrid – Seoul – August 9
Arsenal (CS) – Millennium Stadium – August 16
For the first time in 10 years, City have a new manager at the helm after Enzo Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola.
Their summer plans include trips to South Korea and Hong Kong before they take part in the season’s curtain-opener against Arsenal in the Community Shield.
They could also look to schedule local friendlies before their trip to Asia.
• Man United (6)
Wrexham – Helsinki – July 18
Rosenborg – Trondheim – July 24
Atletico Madrid – Stockholm – August 1
PSG – Gothenburg – August 8
Leeds – Dublin – August 12
AC Milan – Wroclaw – August 15
Man United are staying in Europe, but they will still be covering some miles as they travel to Finland, Norway, Sweden, Ireland and Poland.
They will average a game every week, with the exception of their final two friendlies against Leeds and AC Milan, which will take place across four days.
Michael Carrick remains in charge after he oversaw the club’s return to the Champions League.
• Tottenham (6)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson walks out before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson walks out before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MK Dons – Behind Closed Doors – July 22
Auckland FC – Auckland – July 26
Sydney FC – Sydney – July 29
Chelsea – Sydney – August 1
Getafe – London – August 8
Hoffenheim – London – August 15
After an impressive summer of recruiting thus far, Tottenham will expect to be back competing in the top half of the table, and they have a busy summer of preparations.
They have a long trip to New Zealand and Australia, playing two local teams before facing Chelsea in Sydney. Two friendlies then await back in London ahead of the new season.
Andy Robertson will have a role to play following his move as a free agent, with Spurs also signing Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi so far.
The rest of the Premier League’s pre-season
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Club Friendlies
Aston Villa 7
Bournemouth 5
Brentford 3
Brighton 4
Coventry 2
Crystal Palace 6
Everton 7
Fulham 3
Hull City 1
Ipswich Town 6
Leeds United 6
Newcastle United 6
Nottingham Forest 6
Sunderland 7
Fabinho, Iraola FI
Fabinho, Iraola FI
Liverpool Unveil New Manager Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola new manager of Liverpool Football Club at Axa training centre on June 04, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)