Andoni Iraola has lamented arriving to five injuries in the squad he inherited, as today’s news also brings updates on a contract breakthrough and a new squad number.
5 injured players at the start of pre-season
Let’s hope this is a case of getting the injuries out of the way in the summer before an injury-free season ahead. But perhaps too much to ask for?!
It was clear before pre-season started that Liverpool would be carrying some injuries, and Iraola put a number to the list on Thursday, with a somewhat surprising addition.
Jayden Danns joined Stefan Bajcetic, Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike as the players sidelined, but it remains to be seen if the striker’s issues are related to last season.
“Probably the worst news when we arrived is that we have, I would say, five players injured,” Iraola told the club’s website.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, March 16, 2026: Liverpool's Jayden Danns during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester City FC Under-21's and Liverpool FC Under-21's at the Academy Stadium. Man City won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Even [Jayden] Danns, who couldn’t start with us because he got injured with the U21s.”
The head coach also explained that Bajcetic is “slowly [getting] better,” but that he is “still not ready to train with us.” It’s been more than 14 months since his initial hamstring injury!
Their absences from training on day two of pre-season saw 12 academy players join the first-team’s session, including 15-year-old Josh Abe and new 6’6″ centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
LFC News: Dominik Szoboszlai contract & Jeremy Jacquet’s squad number
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai (R) after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended 1-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Dominik Szoboszlai is set to sign a new five-year deal after agreeing terms with the club, ending another contract saga before it began. Hallelujah!
• RB Leipzig could open the door to a sale for Yan Diomande if a deal of more than €100 million plus a loan back is offered, meaning any move wouldn’t be until 2027 – sorry, Liverpool need someone now.
• Jeremy Jacquet has taken the No. 5 shirt following his move, inheriting it from fellow Frenchman Ibrahima Konate.
• Liverpool are guaranteed a World Cup winner with either Alexis Mac Allister or Victor Munoz, both of whom will be expected to return for pre-season from August 10, at the earliest.
Liverpool’s last 12 home kits RANKED
Liverpool have had three different kit manufacturers between 2015/16 and 2026/27, and there have been notable misses as well as big hits.
Joanna Durkan takes a look back at the last 12 home kits and ranks them from worst to best. There’s been some seriously questionable ones over the years!
Football News: Midfield ‘target’ off to Aston Villa & Arsenal agree winger deal
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Wolverhampton Wanderers' João Gomes during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Liverpool had been linked with Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, but he’s on his way to Aston Villa in a £38 million deal. Another potential option off the table!
• Harry Kane says it is “too early” to say whether he could play for England in the 2030 World Cup – England may need him to, as who could be his realistic successor?
• Arsenal have agreed a £34 million deal to sign Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis – he is effectively the replacement for Leandro Trossard after his move to Besiktas (Sky Sports)
• Nottingham Forest are in negotiations with Tottenham over a deal for Lucas Bergvall, with a £38 million bid already rejected. Curtis Jones had been linked (Sky Sports)
Liverpool FC: On this day
Gerard Houllier (right), who has joined Liverpool Manager Roy Evans, to form a managerial partnership at Anfield, today (Thursday). See PA Story SOCCER Liverpool. PA Photos
On this day in 1998, Liverpool made an unprecedented decision to appoint Gerard Houllier as joint manager alongside Roy Evans.
It was unconventional and ultimately lasted less than four months, with Evans resigning after only 18 games working alongside Houllier.
Confusion reigned as players did not know who to approach, and team selection was not mutual, making it “an impossible situation” to navigate.
“Looking back in hindsight it is very easy to say that it was the wrong decision. Even if they had said they were sacking me that would have been better than what they did,” Evans later explained.
“I walked away of my own accord. I wasn’t sacked or anything like that. I walked because I just didn’t think it was the right thing.”
Houllier remained and he went on to guide the club to a historic treble in 2000/01.