Image Credits: Imago Images
New manager Andoni Iraola will be eager to strengthen his squad as Liverpool look to recover from a disappointing campaign last season.
Several first-team players have returned for pre-season, with the squad preparing for a tour of the United States that includes fixtures against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United.
As the 2026 World Cup nears its conclusion, Liverpool’s preparations for the new season are becoming clearer. The Reds have two players in the final, with Spain winger Victor Munoz facing Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
Liverpool will take on local non-league side Vauxhall Motors FC at the AXA Training Centre on Saturday. Vauxhall Motors confirmed the fixture on Friday, with the match set to be played against a Liverpool XI in the afternoon.
A club statement read: “We will visit Liverpool FC to take on a Liverpool XI, behind closed doors. Kick off will be at midday, and post-match reaction will be available on our social media channels tomorrow afternoon. The Motormen return to the Premier Jet Stadium on Tuesday evening as we host Bala on Rivacre Road.”
Harvey Elliott and Jeremy Jacquet were among those who returned ahead of schedule alongside the academy group last week to report for pre-season training.
Alongside Elliott and Jacquet, players including Armin Pecsi, James McConnell, new centre-back signing Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Mor Talla Ndiaye, Josh Sonni-Lambie, Josh Abe, Kaide Gordon, Calvin Ramsay, Lewis Koumas, Calum Scanlon, Tommy Pilling, Luke Chambers, Kieran Morrison and Will Wright are expected to feature.
Liverpool’s squad will then fly to Chicago on Monday for a two-week pre-season tour of the United States. The Reds will face Sunderland in Nashville, Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York, and Leeds United in Chicago.
They will return to Anfield for final pre-season fixtures against Monaco and Como on consecutive weekends in August before opening the new campaign away at Newcastle United.
The behind-closed-doors fixture will provide Andoni Iraola with his first opportunity to assess some of his players in a match environment.
Vauxhall Motors FC can confirm that tomorrow’s game against Mold Alex has been called off.
We will now face Liverpool FC behind closed doors.
We would like to issue a statement on the Altrincham game and the proposed Mold Fixture 🔗 https://t.co/H5zIKP9Q7k pic.twitter.com/H0huGf0SwP
— Vauxhall Motors FC (@vmfc_) July 17, 2026
A trip to the AXA awaits 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4LnMAPajUa
— Vauxhall Motors FC (@vmfc_) July 17, 2026