Liverpool has arrived in Nashville ahead of their first pre-season match against Sunderland, scheduled for Saturday at 23:00 BST. The team’s arrival marks the beginning of their tour in the United States, with a focus on integrating new strategies under manager Andoni Iraola.
Former Liverpool Women‘s leading scorer, Natasha Dowie, expressed her enthusiasm for Iraola’s approach. She highlighted the expectation of a “front-footed football” style, characterised by high pressure and energy, which she believes will resonate with the club’s supporters. Dowie also noted the return of familiar faces like Harvey Elliott and Kostas Tsimikas, alongside new signing Jeremy Jacquet and promising academy players such as Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha, and Kieran Morrison.
Dowie, who has been involved with the club’s academy since her retirement three years ago, spoke about the hard work and dedication of these young talents. Her involvement in mentoring at the academy, facilitated by director Alex Inglethorpe, has given her insight into the development of these players.
Iraola’s coaching team and tactical focus
Iraola has brought several members of his coaching staff from Bournemouth to Liverpool, following his appointment last month. Among them are Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, who have joined as first-team coaches. Pablo de la Torre, a long-time colleague of Iraola, has taken on the role of assistant coach, while Alejandro Rosalen is the new first-team goalkeeping coach, having previously spent five years with Napoli.
Iraola emphasised the importance of having trusted colleagues by his side for his inaugural season at Anfield. He worked with De la Torre at AEK Larnaca and Rayo Vallecano, describing him as more than just a physical coach due to their extensive history together. Iraola also acknowledged the contributions of Elphick and Cooper during his time at Bournemouth, particularly their understanding of English football culture and player mentality, which proved invaluable after an issue with his previous assistant coach, Iñigo Pérez, regarding a work permit.
A key area of focus for Iraola and his staff will be to improve Liverpool’s performance in set-piece situations. In the season prior to Iraola’s arrival, Liverpool conceded 23 set-piece goals. Only Bournemouth (26), Crystal Palace (25), and Leeds (24) conceded more. Iraola noted that his coaching team, including Elphick who handles defensive set plays and Cooper who focuses on offensive ones, will work closely with set-piece analyst Lewis Mahoney, who was already with the club.
Player impressions and pre-season preparations
Defender Joe Gomez, who is entering his 12th season on Merseyside, shared his impressions of Iraola, describing him as a “really nice guy” and acknowledging his impressive work at Bournemouth. Gomez highlighted the importance of pre-season for building a strong foundation for the upcoming campaign, aiming to adapt effectively while remaining healthy and prepared.
Gomez also reflected on his role as a senior figure within the returning group of players, a role he has grown into over time. He noted that the mood at the training ground is high, attributing it to the combination of a new manager and a refreshing summer break. The players are reportedly “hungry” and “excited” to begin the new season under Iraola’s guidance.
The team’s pre-season activities also included community engagement. Dowie, alongside former striker Ian Rush, visited young patients at the Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. Dowie expressed how meaningful it was to connect with supporters and their families, noting the strong passion for Liverpool evident in Nashville.
Source: bbc.com