Intensity, smiles & Lewandowski - inside Liverpool training under Iraola
Liverpool's training session in Chicago under Andoni Iraola showcased high intensity, positive smiles, and squad boosts ahead of Leeds.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Liverpool held their first open training session in Chicago under new manager Andoni Iraola.
- Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones cleared the air following a heated argument over the captaincy.
- Record signing Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch returned to training.
Liverpool's first open training session under the guidance of Andoni Iraola at the Chicago Fire performance center kicked off with an unexpected background sight: Robert Lewandowski practicing penalties. The 37-year-old Polish striker blazed a spot-kick over the bar just as Chicago Fire's session concluded and Iraola's squad stepped onto the pitch.
Earlier in the week, social media footage surfaced showing Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones - linked with a move to Inter Milan - engaged in a heated dispute following Liverpool's 1-0 win over Wrexham on Wednesday. When questioned, Szoboszlai played down the incident, insisting everyone shares the same goals for the club. Despite the awkward cameras, Szoboszlai, Jones, and Kostas Tsimikas walked out together in high spirits, joking and doing keepy-uppies in front of reporters.
The argument stemmed from Szoboszlai handing the captain's armband to Tsimikas instead of Jones, but the matter was swiftly put to rest by Friday. While a touch of passion is welcomed in elite sports, the incident reminded Iraola of the pressing need to appoint a new vice-captain following Andy Robertson's departure.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Appointing a vice-captain is a crucial milestone during a managerial transition, as strong leadership within the dressing room helps maintain harmony and collective focus. Swiftly managing public disputes ensures minor training ground disagreements do not overshadow the team's broader preparation for the demanding Premier League campaign ahead.
In a major boost for the squad, record signing Alexander Isak returned to training this week alongside Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch. The trio missed the trip to New York for the pre-season fixture against Wrexham but are fully expected to feature in Sunday's clash against Leeds.
However, Jeremy Jacquet sat out on-field training to work in the gym as club staff carefully manage his recovery from a shoulder injury sustained in February. The central-back remains a doubt for the weekend. Joe Gomez, ruled out of the opening Premier League fixtures, was also restricted to gym work.
The atmosphere on the pitch remained upbeat, with players celebrating goals in mini-drills while Iraola actively stepped in to offer tactical advice and positional guidance. The squad later split into groups for a small-sided match and set-piece routines.
Source: BBC Sport
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