Liverpool’s pre-season schedule is over, and after six friendlies and the Community Shield, who stood out as the best and worst performers in Arne Slot‘s squad?
The Reds will head into their Premier League opener against Bournemouth with confidence, despite losing on penalties to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.
A productive summer spent both on Merseyside and further afield in the Far East also took in valuable exercise against Preston, Stoke, AC Milan, Yokohama F. Marinos and – twice in five hours at Anfield – Athletic Club.
Thirty-seven players featured and here we have given a rating out of 10 to the 22 seniors who were regulars throughout.
(NB. That means no rating for the likes of Joe Gomez, Alexis Mac Allister or Federico Chiesa, while youngster Luca Stephenson is omitted as he is not yet a full-time first-teamer)
PRESTON, ENGLAND - Sunday, July 13, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during a pre-season friendly match between Preston North End FC and Liverpool FC at Deepdale. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 8 (out of 10)
Feels like the Reds could be in safe hands, literally, with this Georgian giant in the not-too-distant future. Threw himself heartily into the action, and appears to have knitted into the dressing room nicely.
Had a real confidence in his leap, particularly during the Athletic Club fixture while roared on by the Anfield faithful.
Will find his stride quickly, and has the best ‘keeper in the world to learn from on a daily basis.
Alisson – 6
A gentle pre-season for Liverpool’s rock, with only a brief smattering of outings due to his return to Brazil for a family matter: between the sticks for AC Milan and then back in for the Community Shield final.
Always picks up where he left off, and will sharpen up rapidly as ever once the season gets going.
His instant rapport with Mamardashvili already feels important.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jeremie Frimpong – 8
An impressive, lively start to life in red.
Frimpong has immersed himself perfectly in the dressing room, which has been vital considering the tragedy and grief which has shaken the squad across all levels.
In a playing capacity Frimpong has looked athletic, nimble and very much match-fit. Once the tactical blueprint is drilled accordingly this lad will be a big asset.
Conor Bradley – 6
A fleeting pre-season, curtailed somewhat by a niggling injury. A constant theme with Bradley, and something the coaching staff will look to nip in the bud as the campaign goes on.
Has shown signs of understanding his new role, as a more defensively and zonally minded full-back, compared to the marauding support-winger that Frimpong will be. The interchanging deployment of this duo this season will be of great interest.
Was in the right place against Preston to get a goal to his name.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Virgil van Dijk – 5
The defensive talisman himself held his hands up and admitted he’s not yet at full fitness. Van Dijk has looked sluggish so far, and his outing at Wembley did not cover him in glory one bit.
Still, when you’re 34 and still the best defender on the planet, pre-season isn’t a time for launching into matches at 100mph.
The proof will be in the pudding as this Spartan leads the Reds back into Premier League battle.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
Entered pre-season under the cloud of speculation, with chatter refusing to go away regarding a potential long-term contract snub and walking away for free. That cannot happen.
The Frenchman has showcased his experience in pre-season, looking solid at the heart of defence and working up to match fitness nicely.
An underlying issue remains though: with the brawn comes a somewhat brittle nature with Ibou, and an injury never feels too far away.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez applauds the supporters after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Milos Kerkez – 7
Hit the ground solidly and has already shown an exhaustive work rate. Didn’t have his best maiden competitive outing in the Community Shield, though a lack of early understanding with Van Dijk played a huge part.
Looks like a player who will become rapidly important to Arne Slot once the nerves subside, and will buy into the manager’s plans willingly.
Andy Robertson – 6
Has adopted the old custodian role already, it seems. Plenty of speculation that Robertson was off to LaLiga, though the emerging likely departure of Kostas Tsimikas means the Scotland captain will remain as a shepherd of the flock this season.
Still only 31, he has plenty in the tank and a capacity to read the game as Slot sees fit in his tweaked system.
A quiet pre-season, but will be crucial.
Kostas Tsimikas – 5
Came in, did his bit, though his absence from Wembley indicates the end is nigh.
Will be a huge miss in the dressing room, given his infectious personality and ability to produce natural togetherness. Has served the Reds well.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ryan Gravenberch – 8
Pre-season is always a tricky one, in that we’re never fully sure what’s been briefed behind closed doors.
In the spells that we’ve seen last season’s outstanding riser, Gravenberch has looked measured and very much a man on a mission. His ball-carrying seems to have increased, and his explosiveness in the turn to drive into pockets is as clean as ever.
His overhanging ban will be a huge pain as the campaign begins, but expect the former Ajax man to explode out of the blocks thereafter.
Curtis Jones – 6
Fast becoming the new Jordan Henderson in the way he divides a fanbase. There will always be a sub-section that really don’t ‘get’ Jones, and that’s fine.
But the 24-year-old is being instructed to fill a rather niche, somewhat vanilla role by the coaching staff – and he’s ticking a lot of boxes.
Looked sharp and industrious on the Asia tour, and has dovetailed well with Florian Wirtz when given the opportunity.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo line-up before the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
Particularly enjoyed his influence and command against AC Milan, with a sumptuous finish to boot.
Looks like a player still very much working out what his new remit will be, given high-profile arrivals have cranked the pressure.
Exceedingly fit, as ever, but his game-reading has left a little to be desired.
Wataru Endo – 7
The epitome of discipline. At this point Endo is cast as the fearfully loyal warrior who will serve his master until the very end.
Returned to the camp looking fit and ready, and his enjoyment and pride in leading Liverpool at the Asia tour was genuinely heart-warming.
Harvey Elliott – 6
A busy summer with the U21s Euros cascaded into a well of unknown for Elliott, who looks almost certain to seal a late exit from Anfield before the window closes.
The uncertainty shrouded his pre-season, which showcased plenty of intensity and creativity, particularly when trying to pick through a rigid Milan back line.
In said match Elliott could be seen constantly encouraging young Rio Ngumoha out of possession. A credit to this football club, gave his all to the end.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Florian Wirtz – 9
Seeing this lad in a Liverpool shirt is still quite a pinch-me moment. We’ve already got to the stage where it’s being sneered that Wirtz is being overpraised, which speaks volumes itself.
Here Slot has been given a player quite unique. A one-of-one, limited edition. Nobody in Europe can do exactly what Wirtz does, and that’s why everyone wanted him.
Settled in instantly and will be responsible for ensuring Mohamed Salah‘s Liverpool days end very much on a high.
Trey Nyoni – 8
Another youngster who deserves massive credit for taking his chance.
Looked every inch the part against Yokohama, confident in the tackle and quick to keep the ball turning over. His footwork is artfully understated.
Got himself among the goals and will collect Premier League minutes this season.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Rio Ngumoha – 9
As far as pre-seasons go, this young man deserves a nine out of 10 at the bare minimum.
He doesn’t even turn 17 until the end of the month, and yet he’s been brushing shoulders with the big guns and flooring opponents with wild abandon.
This kid is special and shows a maturity and understanding of the game which is well, well beyond his years. Patience must be retained, but with the correct cultivation the sky is the limit for this particular star.
Ben Doak – 7
Looked great at Anfield; a speed demon with a point to prove.
The odds have been forever stacked against this youngster, who has always shown the right attitude and will pocket Richard Hughes and Co. a tidy fee.
Ultimately now needs to be trying his hand at regular Premier League football elsewhere.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo paying homage to Diogo Jota by doing his celebration as he celebrates after scoring the second goalr during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Cody Gakpo – 6
Getting into his groove and looks very much a senior player now, but needs to work on consistency in his threat.
A brace against Athletic Club in what was his best outing and looked vintage Gakpo.
Some piercing drives at Wembley, but needs to avoid phasing himself out of matches which is a recurring habit.
Mohamed Salah – 6
The wide smile after lashing home at Anfield against Athletic Club was the Egyptian King’s tell-tale sign of ‘I’m back, and we’re going at it again’.
Has linked well with both Hugo Ekitike and especially Wirtz during pre-season, but was painfully hot-and-cold at Wembley.
If anything, these sorts of mediocre showings only serve to see Salah roar back with an explosive bang.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Hugo Ekitike – 8
A strong debut in Asia quickly led to an Anfield assist for Salah and then a sumptuous Community Shield goal.
The Frenchman has been cooking up the momentum at a blistering pace, which bodes especially well for the curtain raiser.
Could be a deceptively crucial acquisition.
Darwin Nunez – 6
May have left for pastures new but it was oh so very Nunez to make a stamp on pre-season.
Smashed a hat-trick behind-closed-doors against Stoke, after ensuring full tribute was paid to Jota by scoring in the first run-out against Preston. Then scored and assisted in the second-string friendly against Athletic Club.
It never worked out like anybody hoped, but Nunez will be dearly missed.