As Liverpool ramps up their preseason work under Arne Slot. there are some key things that we would like to see.
Obviously, staying fit is the most important aspect of all this and building endurance for the long grind that is soon to come this season. However, in addition, the slow implementation of Slot's style and system will be crucial as well.
This won't happen overnight obviously, but it is something that begins now and builds from here. With a lot of Liverpool's proven stars still abroad playing in Euro 2024 and Copa America that means the early days of preseason training will provide an opportunity for other players in the squad.
Let's take a look at some of those players that could use a strong preseason for a variety of reasons.
Jarell Quansah
The 21-year old central defender finished strong at the tail end of last season when he all but took the starting job away from Ibrahima Konate. Ironically, Konate who is now riding the bench for France in Germany, could use a big preseason himself but won't get the chance for now at least.
Quansah can use this time without his direct competitor for the second centre-back role alongside Virgil van Dijk to establish his role within the side.
With a new coach coming in, that means that he must show his qualities once again from the beginning. His composure on the ball and typically high-end passing range should make him a good fit for what Slot wants to do.
For the time being, Quansah could arguably be the best Liverpool defender at preseason outside of Andy Robertson.
If the youngster takes this chance to showcase his full array of abilities, he might start a few steps ahead of Konate in the race to start opening day.
Curtis Jones
Whereas Quansah is approaching this preseason from a position of strength, Jones should be looking at it a little differently.
He was playing the best football of his Liverpool career through the winter months before an untimely injury took away all of his momentum. Upon his return from the fitness table, he was a shell of the player we had seen force his way into the Starting XI.
The rise of Harvey Elliott down the stretch also meant that Jones was pushed further down the pecking order in midfield.
The change to Arne Slot might be a good thing for Jones as he can have his slate wiped clean in a sense and focus on getting after it right now. If he can show the box-to-box game that has popped up in flashes during his career, that would be a big boost to his potential role.
A full reset might be just what the England man needed to fire his early season up. It will be interesting to see where he gets deployed in some of the early preseason matches, whether advanced or more holding.
Stefan Bajcetic
The young Spaniard is now well over a year removed from bursting on the scene for an injury depleted Reds side in 2022/23.
He played a few times last year before finally being shut down with injury as he simply could not overcome the issues. The club has previously stated they believe the fitness issues are growth related as he is still a young lad, but his physical style certainly puts extra strain on his body.
When fit though, Bajcetic was being touted as the next in line to dominate the No. 6 role in Liverpool's midfield moving into the next generation.
He can read the game better than some players 10 years his elder and this allows him to position himself in numerous advantageous positions.
With Wataru Endo being 31 years old and no other current true defensive midfielder in the squad, these early days of preseason will be a good opportunity for the Spaniard to stamp his name as a true challenger to the role.
His silkiness on the ball, biting tackles and football IQ should endear him to Slot quite quickly.