Liverpool are hours away now from facing Preston in the opener to the club's pre-season and with so many talking points around this game, here are the three main points to look out for.
1. How emotions shape the atmosphere and performance
This won’t be a typical pre-season opener, it’s a tribute. The game will begin with a minute’s silence, both sides wearing black armbands, followed by renditions of Can’t Help Falling in Love and You’ll Never Walk Alone.
The squad returned to first-team training last week and now they have the matches upcoming. Having attended Diogo Jota and André Silva’s funeral, the squad have had time and I expect privacy to handle the heartbreaking news, so expect raw emotion.
Keep an eye on how Arne Slot manages this delicate balance between encouraging players to move forward tactically while acknowledging grief.
Moments like these can serve as healing, a small but meaningful step toward normalcy.
2. Debut minutes for summer signings
Preseason is the stage for new arrivals to acclimatize. At Deepdale, watch closely for potential first minutes from some fresh faces at Liverpool.
Giorgi Mamardashvili could start between the sticks, to assess his communication and rapport with his new teammates.
Full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, who could debut, offering defensive depth and width.
Both are expected to be the new TAA and Robbo, so their starts may give a slight peek into how they will fare as a pair.
Record signing Florian Wirtz in midfield, with many eager to see why Liverpool invested a club-record £116 m.
A major talking point of the summer has been the role in which Florian will be used, many having stated that Slot sees him as the future 10 in his system, but with Florian’s versatility it will be interesting how he may be used going forward.
These debuts will shape early impressions of squad depth. These pre-season games will also give fans a look into what the tactical direction under Slot, in his new and improved team.
3. Squad rotation and fitness management
Expect extensive rotation typical of a summer friendly.
Many first-team regulars will play 45 minutes or less, while youngsters and fringe players will be granted game time.
Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton, fresh from U21 Euro success, won’t feature as they’re on extended breaks.
Slot will also like to keep key figures like Mohamed Salah on short leashes to make sure there is no fatigue for the star man.
Giving minutes to squad players like, Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo will make his balance of rotation and game time crucial, too much and rhythm is lost, too little and risk of fatigue surfaces.
While results matter less, this match offers a poignant blend of emotion and preparation for the new season.