Reds step up pre-season preparations in Germany

The start of the new Premier League campaign is just weeks away, with Jürgen Klopp’s Reds training in Germany ahead of a number of pre-season friendlies.

The Reds are back!

Jürgen Klopp has taken his Liverpool FC players to Germany for a pre-season training camp, with the start of the new Premier League season less than a month away.

LFC get their campaign underway at Chelsea FC on Sunday August 13, with a number of pre-season clashes lined up between now and that trip to Stamford Bridge, and the hard work has already begun in the home country of the club’s manager.

Andy Robertson says the training camp has been “incredibly tough” thus far, but the players are all determined to be at their sharpest when the new season rolls around.

“There's been no kind of easing our way into it,” revealed the Scottish left-back.

“It's been pretty full on but the lads have reacted to it and it's important that in these moments we all stick together and we try to enjoy the hard work and push each other through it.”

It’s all about laying foundations, insists Robertson, as the Reds gear up for Wednesday night’s first pre-season friendly against Karlsruher SC.

“It gives you a basis, that's all it can give you,” he says.

“You work hard here so the games, when we start, become easier, because your fitness is pretty much where you left it last season.

“That's what we're obviously trying to do. But whether it lays foundations or anything like that, I've been in the game long enough I'm not so sure about that, it all comes down to when the real fun starts.

“Then we have to be 100 per cent ready and we have to go with everything we've got.

“These training sessions and everything we're doing off the pitch and stuff is mentally preparing us for that. Then when it comes to the first game of the season, we need to be ready to attack the season.”

Robertson has also been speaking about the ease with which both Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have slotted into the Reds squad, having joined the club this summer from RB Leipzig and Brighton and Hove Albion FC respectively.

"They've settled in very well," added Robertson.

"Obviously the fans will want to see them on the pitch and the fans will want to see how they do in the Premier League and so on. But the first couple of days what they've done is settle in quite seamlessly.

"It's a very open squad. It's a good squad if you're a new player to come into. We welcome everyone with open arms and try to settle them down as much as possible. I think we've done that.

"And then on the pitch you see their quality – I don't think anyone has questioned their quality throughout their career. That's why we've paid the money to get them.

"They're showing their quality, they're showing what they've got, they're learning the way that we need them to play, and then I'm sure the fans are excited to see them because we are definitely excited to see how they do in the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konaté is looking to take his game to a new level as he begins his third season at the club.

The French international has impressed in a big way since joining the club - also from RB Leipzig - in 2021, but complacency is something that the centre-back is keen to avoid.

"I'm very happy to be here and I want to win a lot of trophies with this club because it's an amazing club with big history,” said the 24-year-old.

"I want to be a big part of this club and win a lot of trophies with this club.

"I think this season, the third season, I have to level up and show another personality of me on the pitch and in life as well.

"I have a lot of objectives - a lot of clean sheets, help my team, score some goals and win some trophies."

Finally, there’s nothing that fans of Liverpool Football Club love seeing more than a young player break into Klopp’s first team plans, and Lewis Koumas is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Stefan Bajcetic, Bobby Clark and Ben Doak this season.

The 17-year-old - who made the move from midfield to a more attacking role at the start of 2022-23 - grew up watching Liverpool FC with his dad, ex-footballer Jason Koumas, and was thrilled to be asked to join the senior players in Germany.

"Obviously to come and learn from some of the best players in the world is a good opportunity to be in and around Champions League winners," Koumas told the club’s official website.

"I feel for me, I've got to come here and show the manager what I can do. And if I do get the opportunity to make my debut, obviously, then it's to try to score a goal.

"My first-team debut - that's definitely what I'm looking for. This might be the only opportunity I get, so I need to make sure I take it."