SerpApi.Org
Liverpool has jetted off for the next leg of its preseason tour in the United States, with matches against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds coming up fast after the conclusion of the World Cup.
But which Reds men are facing a vital few weeks, where new head coach Andoni Iraola will run the rule over his players with the countdown on before the new campaign kicks off in little more than a month?
Liverpool.com has taken a look at five stars who, for varying reasons, are set to embark on an important period ahead of the 2026/27 season, with another new era at Anfield beginning.
• Andoni Iraola has a new Liverpool midfield option and he just made clear he's 'ready to go'
• Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Bradley Barcola move, Ayyoub Bouaddi talks, Jurgen Klopp returns
Dominik Szoboszlai
Fresh off the back of penning a new long-term contract that will tie him down at Anfield until 2031, Dominik Szoboszlai looks to have all the physical traits that Iraola looks for.
There is one question, though: where is his best role? In a 4-2-3-1 system, assuming that is what Liverpool goes with, he probably looks best suited to one of the more withdrawn midfield berths.
In reality, though, he arrived from RB Leipzig as an attacking midfielder and could play as a number 10, and also has experience of being deployed off the right, where Liverpool is currently short of options.
Szoboszlai looks set to be a key man for Liverpool for the next few seasons. It might be that he nails down one position; more likely, he might be asked to play in a few.
Jeremie Frimpong
Once again, there is a positional question to answer here. What exactly is Jeremie Frimpong? So far, he hasn't really played right-back that much, but has been ineffective further forward.
Frimpong's versatility can be a positive, of course. However, he might also want to secure a place in the starting XI, and with Conor Bradley still working his way back to full fitness, there is a vacancy that needs filling.
A big few weeks could await as his best role — and short-term future at Liverpool — is determined. Frimpong, like all of these players, has the advantage of having the full pre-season to work with Iraola.
Jeremy Jacquet
"I think he has all the tools that we will need for that position," Iraola said about Jeremy Jacquet last week. "He is ready to go from the beginning."
Quite simply, the young Frenchman has to be. In terms of seniors, Liverpool only has Joe Gomez available alongside Jacquet at the moment, with Virgil van Dijk on holiday and Giovanni Leoni coming off the back of a long-term issue.
If Jacquet starts the first Premier League game of the season on August 23, it would be no huge shock. A massive period between now and then awaits to get him up to speed.
Harvey Elliott
Last season went very differently from how all parties imagined when Harvey Elliott moved to Aston Villa. Unai Emery simply had no interest in signing him permanently, and a year was wasted.
Back in a Liverpool squad in need of more numbers, particularly in attack, however, could there be a chance for Elliott to work his way back into contention? Absolutely.
Florian Wirtz will be the main man at number 10, but Elliott could fill in there at times, or play off the right. At the moment, Liverpool hasn't signed enough alternatives for Elliott to be anything other than a serious option.
Curtis Jones
Another with a transfer question to answer, keeping Curtis Jones, Iraola has already made clear, would be the ideal scenario. Interest from elsewhere remains, but he won't want to leave if he has a proper role to play.
Liverpool doesn't need to sign another midfielder if Jones can be convinced to stay put. And many of the characteristics that he has should be applicable to what Iraola wants.
Conversations will be had over the next few weeks, and Jones won't be going anywhere unless Liverpool's valuation is met anyway. Really, it feels like this should be a proper opportunity to convince the 25-year-old to stay.
