Liverpool enjoyed a promising pre-season as Andoni Iraola began to learn which players he can trust and which are a work in progress.
The Reds finished their summer with a 2-0 win at home to Como on Sunday, the last of six friendlies played.
Pre-season player ratings are completely arbitrary really, especially on a game-by-game basis given the friendlies are largely for fitness, but after six matches we can put together some overall ratings.
A total of 36 players were used and given the opportunity to impress Iraola – here are our rough ratings for each one.
Alisson – 7
Sporting long hair and looking as cool as ever, Alisson was his usual dependable self. His kicking was better than last season, which suggests his hamstring woes may have eased.
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 6
Giorgi Mamardashvili was solid, but there are still concerns about his distribution in tight areas. Still, it would help if his teammates remembered he was left-footed!
Jeremie Frimpong – 7
After a disappointing first season at Liverpool, Jeremie Frimpong had a promising pre-season, producing a great assist for Cody Gakpo against Como.
There are still question marks about him being a long-term right-back, but he appears to be enjoying life under Iraola.
NEW YORK, USA - Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEW YORK, USA - Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Calvin Ramsay – 6
Calvin Ramsay made five appearances spanning 174 minutes and was reliable at right-back.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Like Alisson, you just know what you’re going to get with Virgil van Dijk. Largely good, barring conceding a sloppy penalty against Monaco.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe – 8
Ifeanyi Ndukwe was one of the biggest positives of pre-season, looking like a young centre-back with a big future ahead of him.
Jeremy Jacquet – 9
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet celebrates with team-mates after scoring the second goal on his debut during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet celebrates with team-mates after scoring the second goal on his debut during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
You won’t see many better unofficial Liverpool debuts than that! True Dejan Lovren vs. Dortmund vibes (joke!)
Ronald Araujo – 8
Not quite on Jeremy Jacquet‘s level, but flew into a tackle straight away and the crowd loved him.
Luke Chambers – 7
A left-back by trade but played at centre-half due to a scarcity in that position. He scored in the 4-2 defeat to Leeds in the US, a moment he will cherish. A loan move feels best.
Milos Kerkez – 7
Milos Kerkez needs a better second season. Now playing under his old boss from Bournemouth, he was an energetic presence throughout the summer.
Kostas Tsimikas – 7
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The ‘Greek Scouser’ showed that he can be an able second-choice left-back for Iraola and continues to be a popular member of the dressing room.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7
It feels like Ryan Gravenberch eased his way back in, but he impressed against Monaco, playing a part in Alexander Isak‘s goal with some lovely footwork.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8
Dominik Szoboszlai is growing in stature all the time, and his dynamism in midfield continued to remind us of a Liverpool No.8 from the past!
Scored a screamer in the 4-2 victory over Sunderland, and got the joint-most assists along with Frimpong (two).
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
After arriving back for pre-season later than everyone else, Alexis Mac Allister was understandably off the pace in comparison.
Did well in a deep midfield role in the behind-closed-doors friendly with Como, though.
Curtis Jones – 5
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The most disappointing of Liverpool’s pre-season performers, especially in the second half against Leeds.
His body language was questionable at times – his spat with Szoboszlai wasn’t a great look – and he could well be on the move.
Trey Nyoni – 9
If Curtis Jones struggled, Trey Nyoni excelled, standing out as Liverpool’s best player of the summer.
The 19-year-old was calm on the ball, intelligent off it and now feels like a genuine midfield option for Iraola.
Florian Wirtz – 7
Florian Wirtz finished the summer as Liverpool’s top scorer with two goals, enjoying a good on-pitch chemistry with Alexander Isak.
We still need more if he is to justify his price tag, but he’s getting there!
Wataru Endo – 6
You know what you’re going to get with Wataru Endo – experience, a great team ethic but limited quality.
James McConnell – 7
This was a positive summer for James McConnell, who appeared four times and now looks set to join Preston on loan.
Harvey Elliott – 6
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott applauds the supporters after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott applauds the supporters after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Harvey Elliott is looking to show Iraola that he belongs at Liverpool, but he didn’t do a huge amount throughout pre-season.
He did nothing wrong, but does he have the pace to make it at Anfield in the long term?
Kieran Morrison – 6
Kieran Morrison scored Liverpool’s first goal of the summer, finishing well against Sunderland, but his influence waned.
He is another who could head out on loan, picking up valuable experience at senior level.
Josh Abe – 6
Just an incredible experience for the 16-year-old to be involved.
Federico Chiesa – 6
Federico Chiesa took his goal well against Sunderland, but overall, there wasn’t too much, barring his usual endeavour.
Rio Ngumoha – 7
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha shoots to score the first goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha shoots to score the first goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Rio Ngumoha is getting better all the time, and he did well on the right wing, scoring the only goal against Wrexham.
Could explode this season depending on his minutes.
Cody Gakpo – 8
Amid doubts over his future, Cody Gakpo was largely excellent, showing why retaining him wouldn’t be a bad thing.
A goal and an assist against Como, and far more of an all-round threat compared to last season.
Victor Munoz – 6
There were glimpses of the pace and directness Victor Munoz will bring, but he hasn’t really got going yet. Only played 93 minutes.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai (R) after scoring the first goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai (R) after scoring the first goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Alexander Isak – 7
Isak looked more involved than he ever did under Arne Slot, which can only be a good thing. Took his goal against Monaco superbly.
Lewis Koumas – 7
Lewis Koumas provided energy and quality for Liverpool, netting against Sunderland, and looks ready to take Chiesa’s place in the squad.
Will Wright – 6
A great experience for the teenager; he could get game time in the Carabao Cup due to Jayden Danns‘ ongoing problems and Hugo Ekitike‘s long-term absence.
Hughes Jones
Hughes Jones