Pre-Season Is Over

August 18, 2026

Seven games played, if you include the shortened version played behind closed doors at Kirkby. Two wins in America and one defeat. Two games at Anfield saw a loss against Monaco and a win against Como while the workout at Kirkby was a thrilling 0-0. Pre-season results only matter if you win, if you lose, they’re meaningless, a bit like the Community Shield.  We finally spotted Jérémy Jacquet and got glimpses of Víctor Muñoz and were introduced to the third signing of the summer Ronald Araujo who’s come over from Barcelona for a loan spell that Ronald [we] hopes will be permanent.  Old frailties exposed at times, but positives as well. There was Ifeanyi Ndukwe as well, but he can’t play for us because he hasn’t got enough work permit points, more reason to curse those who voted for Brexit. He’ll be loaned out to someone, somewhere in Europe. Rio Ngumoha was spotted doing his step overs and Trey Nyomi impressed. Harvey Elliott is back from hell but for how long we must wait and see. There was a shock in store for the fans when we played Como because we fielded what looked like a proper back four in both halves and that’s something to get excited about surely.

As expected, new boss Andoni Iraola said he learnt a lot and was impressed at times but concerned as well about the way we caved in against Leeds [in America] and Monaco [at Anfield]. Andoni has talked the talk, not quite in Jürgen fashion but better than the Arne was sounding towards the end.

We shall see.