Liverpool's new head coach, Andoni Iraola, has welcomed several first-team players back for preseason training this week, but some stars are still recovering from an injury
17:11, 16 Jul 2026
Andoni Iraola has offered an update on his Liverpool squad
Andoni Iraola has offered an update on his Liverpool squad(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endo are still not first-team training.
Iraola, who also provided an update on Jayden Danns, spoke to Liverpool's in-house media team on Thursday, following the start of preseason training. Most of Liverpool's first-team squad have reported to Kirkby after enjoying a well-earned break, although some players are yet to report for duty due to their involvement at the ongoing World Cup.
Iraola was asked about the condition of those who have returned. He replied: "Nowadays, players normally are very professional. They have things to do in the summer. They come normally in a good shape.
"Some of them are in a better shape; the other ones are still getting there, but we have our time, we have our weeks to prepare. I hope when it matters, we arrive ready."
Iraola was then asked to talk about those who are injured and named Bajcetic, Endo and Danns.
Bajcetic, 21, has become the forgotten man at Anfield. The Spanish midfielder famously broke into Liverpool's starting XI under Jurgen Klopp in 2022, but he hasn't made a first-team appearance in more than two years due to loan spells and an ongoing injury.
Stefan Bajcetic is still working his way back to fitness
Stefan Bajcetic is still working his way back to fitness(Image: Getty Images)
Endo, 33, hasn't played since suffering a foot injury in February, which caused him to miss the World Cup.
And Danns, 20, made just one first-team appearance for Liverpool last season due to injuries. He's trying to recover from a hamstring complaint.
Iraola explained: "Probably the worst news when we arrived is that we have, I would say, five players injured."
Only naming three, Liverpool's head coach added: "Even Danns, who couldn't start with us because he got injured with the U21s.
"Obviously, they are different injuries; three of them are long-term injuries, different phases.
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"Then we have Stefan that is doing slowly, slowly better, but is still not ready to train with us, and waiting also for Wataru."
Iraola also gave a general assessment of preseason training. He said: "I was looking forward, actually, to starting the training properly.
"Because I have been here almost two weeks with the U21s, all the physical tests. But you want to start doing your thing. It has been a good day. Also, the weather is helping us a lot these first days. The boys are training properly, yes."