Andoni Iraola has been speaking to Liverpool reporters in Chicago this week, including the ECHO's Paul Gorst, during the club's pre-season tour. The fanfare around Liverpool has been noticeably subdued compared to previous tour destinations.
Iraola and his squad have been comfortable going on daily walks around Downtown Chicago, with most people largely unaware of the group in red Adidas t-shirts. However, the team buses outside the hotel are a giveaway, and fans have been queuing for pictures with players.
Iraola's Insights on Basque and Scouse Similarities
On Tuesday, the ECHO was one of several publications granted a sit-down with Iraola at the hotel. He discussed his love of cycling and family time, and highlighted similarities between Basque people and those on Merseyside regarding pride in local identity.
"I see a lot of things [in Scousers that resonates]," he said. "This sense of belonging, of being a little bit different. This connection, also, with players from the Academy. The atmosphere of Anfield. This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and, in some way, the comparison (to Athletic Club) probably isn’t fair. But in a lot of ways I see a lot of things similar."
He added: "Athletic is a very special club. At Athletic Club, you have to maximise every player you have in the squad. You cannot sell him and choose another one a lot of times. As a player, you have to give extra. The only way that policy can be successful is if you give 100%. This creates a connection and you see they win things, they have never been relegated."
Pre-Season Preparations and Academy Prospects
The Reds continued training at the Endeavour Performance Centre, base of Chicago Fire. Saturday's first pre-season friendly against Sunderland at Nashville's GEODIS Park will allow Iraola to assess Academy players.
Striker Josh Sonni-Lambie said: "Last week, a group of us were training with the first team for a couple days, and then I found out Saturday evening, we just got a message, I got told I was coming to America. So, first thing I just called my mum and then told my dad when I got home. I was just so happy. It’s just amazing."
Freddie Woodman Signs New Contract
Freddie Woodman has signed a new contract with Liverpool, a year after arriving as a free agent. He was thrust into action in April when an injury to Giorgi Mamardashvili led to his debut in the Merseyside derby, which ended with a 100th-minute winner from Virgil van Dijk. He also kept goal in a victory over Crystal Palace.
Woodman said: "[I'm] absolutely delighted. Off the back of last season, personally it was amazing for me and then to come back in pre-season and there be an offer for me from the club to stay here longer, I was made up. I’m just so happy that I could re-sign here and be a part of this amazing club."
He added: "Pride and so many emotions, really. Last season I came in and did the role I was doing and then when I got the opportunity to play, especially the [Crystal] Palace game, it just felt like a real connection to the fans."
Goalkeeper Armin Pecsi completed a season-long loan move to Hartberg in the Austrian Bundesliga, while Amara Nallo joined Finnish side HJK Helsinki on loan.
