Things Spotted From the First Day of Liverpool Pre-season Training as Arne Slot Meets Jurgen Klopp’s “Joy to Watch”
Arne Slot has had a busy start. The new Liverpool head coach held his inaugural press conference, making a strong impression.
Slot answered each question directly, skillfully navigating inquiries without revealing too much about transfers or Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future role.
Additionally, the Dutchman met some of his new Liverpool players. Notably absent were Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, and Alisson Becker, who are currently competing in Euro 2024 and the Copa America.
Andy Robertson (Scotland) and Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary) have been granted time off following the elimination of their respective national teams from the Euros.
Earlier today, Liverpool announced that eight players would be returning. Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, and Sepp van den Berg began their sessions in the morning, followed by Owen Beck, Curtis Jones, Caoimhin Kelleher, and Kostas Tsimikas.
Several other players have been spotted at the AXA Training Centre. Among them are Harvey Elliott, who joked with Slot while he was posing for a photo, and Fabio Carvalho, who has returned after loan spells at RB Leipzig and Hull City last season.
Nat Phillips (Celtic and Cardiff) and Tyler Morton (Hull City) were also photographed by the Reds’ media team.
Additionally, three young players—Ben Doak, James McConnell, and Kaide Gordon—were seen in the gym.
Doak, a highly-rated 18-year-old winger, sustained a knee injury in December and did not play for the remainder of the season. He was selected for Scotland’s squad for the Euros but had to withdraw due to another injury.
McConnell gained attention last summer when Jurgen Klopp called the midfielder as a ‘joy to watch’ following a 4-0 pre-season friendly win over Leicester.
The 19-year-old made 12 appearances in the 2023-24 season, including a substitute appearance in the Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley. Slot was seen conversing with the former Sunderland teenager.
Gordon, who missed the entire 2022-23 season due to injury, was carefully managed upon his return.
At 19, the winger holds the record as Liverpool’s youngest-ever FA Cup goalscorer, having scored at 17 years and 96 days old in a 4-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town in January 2022.
In other Liverpool news, Footballer Chooses the Better Manager Between Slot and Ten Hag as Man Utd and LFC Set to Resume Fresh PL Rivalry
