Liverpool 2026 Preseason Details: Schedule, Locations, and Key Player Updates

New Leadership and Preseason Tour

Andoni Iraola steps in as Liverpool's manager for the 2026/27 season, guiding the team through a busy preseason that includes a U.S. tour. Following the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup held across North America, the Reds will visit Nashville, New York City, and Chicago to sharpen their fitness and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Preseason Matches and Results

Liverpool kicked off their preseason with a 4-2 win against Sunderland at GEODIS Park in Nashville on July 25. Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Federico Chiesa around halftime were complemented by strikes from rising talents Kieran Morris and Lewis Koumas. Their next friendly is scheduled against Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York City on July 29.

*Two matches against Como are planned on August 16: one behind closed doors at 7 a.m. ET, and another open to fans at 1 p.m. This approach echoes Liverpool’s recent preseason traditions, including last year’s double-header versus Athletic Club.

Locations for Preseason Games

The team will hold three matches stateside—in New York and Chicago—before returning home for two games at Anfield. The split-squad fixture against Como features both a private and public match, showing Liverpool's ongoing strategy to maximize preparation opportunities.

World Cup Players’ Return Timeline

Players involved in the World Cup receive 21 days off after their tournament ends. Liverpool had seven players at the World Cup, including Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, and Virgil van Dijk with the Netherlands. They should rejoin training late July and participate in the U.S. tour, including the Chicago friendly.

Alisson, who almost left the club this summer but remains, follows the same schedule. Alexis Mac Allister, who reached the final with Argentina, won't be back until mid-August and might miss early-season matches to recover fully.

Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, whose teams exited in the Round of 32, have already rejoined the squad and are available to increase their training load.

Start of Premier League Season

Liverpool open the 2026/27 Premier League season away at Newcastle United on Sunday, August 23, with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. local time (11:30 a.m. ET). Their fixtures alternate between home and away through October, leading to consecutive home matches against Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal.