Liverpool players face a gruelling pre-season under new manager Andoni Iraola, with the first session scheduled for July 13 at the AXA Training Centre. The squad will undergo a series of demanding physical assessments, including strength and power tests, cardiovascular exams, mobility screenings, and body composition analysis, as Iraola aims to reinstate a high-intensity, aggressive playing style.
New Era, New Demands
Iraola replaces Arne Slot, who had altered the pre-season setup compared to Jurgen Klopp's era. Under Klopp, infamous drills like the lactate test pushed players to their limits. The test required players to run around a pitch at intervals, with blood samples taken to measure lactic acid levels; those exceeding a threshold dropped out. James Milner often won, while Mohamed Salah topped the test in 2023 after Milner's departure.
Andy Robertson recalled being sick during his first lactate test in 2017 after joining from Hull City. "I started gagging and I was sick everywhere," he told Open Goal in 2018. "I was sick around the pitch, then I had to stop because they have to take the blood out your ear." Klopp nicknamed him "Mr. Sick Boy" upon his return.
Switch to 6MRT Under Slot
Slot replaced the lactate test with the Six-Minute Race Test (6MRT), a 400m track run where players aim to cover 1.5-2km in six minutes. "Go all in," Slot instructed in 2024. Sepp van den Berg won the first day, while Salah dominated the second, foreshadowing his pivotal role in Liverpool's 20th league title in the 2024/25 season.
However, Liverpool's form dipped last season, prompting the appointment of Iraola on a two-year deal to restore a front-foot, aggressive approach. This signals a return to exacting sprints and double sessions.
Iraola's Backroom Staff and Methods
Iraola brings a new-look staff, including Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper, analyst Tom Webber, and fitness coach Pablo de la Torre. De la Torre's influence is expected to be significant. Former Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, now at Manchester City, described Iraola's regime: "The way he structured the weeks, we didn't really have any days off... Even now it hasn't changed. Some of the boys are like, 'No day off this week again,' in the group chat."
Pre-season days typically start with blood tests, body fat measurements, concussion checks, balance tests, and heart scans. Iraola's sessions also include strength and power assessments, cardiovascular tests, mobility screenings, and body composition analysis, conducted by the club's performance and medical teams to evaluate each player's condition ahead of a style shift.
Tour and Potential Friendlies
After a week of training, Liverpool will fly to the United States for a three-game tour in Nashville, New York, and Chicago. A behind-closed-doors friendly may be arranged, as Iraola did at Bournemouth. Last year, the Reds beat Stoke City, and in 2024 they lost 1-0 to Preston North End via a Robbie Brady wonder-goal.
The first week is the one players dread, and for good reason. Iraola's brutal plans are set to take shape.
