FeatureUSA tour diary: Tacko Fall, Italian lessons, help from an Everton fan and Music City

Tuesday

A gaggle of fans are now present outside the team hotel at all times, following the squad’s arrival in the city the previous day.

One eagle-eyed member of the media team spots professional basketball player Tacko Fall – who stands at a remarkable 7ft 6in – is in the building too and notes “he’s very tall”. Quite.

The players’ morning walk to the wonderful Lake Michigan includes Dominik Szoboszlai pretending to throw his friend Milos Kerkez into the vast body of water (pretending), while Federico Chiesa conducts an impromptu Italian lesson for several of the younger players in the squad.

The afternoon brings the first on-pitch training session of the trip and the view of the players hard in preparations against the backdrop of the Chicago skyscrapers is not going to lose its impressiveness any time soon.

As Andoni Iraola continues to instil his principles on the group, the sessions are lengthy and intense, and there is certainly a positive mood.

“All the players try to give absolutely everything to try to understand what exactly he wants and to do the right things inside the pitch,” explains Kostas Tsimikas in our first catch-up with the Greek (Scouser) since he returned from loan this summer.

Iraola also speaks to the media at a press conference, during which he confirms the group will be bolstered by Ryan Gravenberch, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in the days ahead.

Wednesday

When work duties were completed on Tuesday evening, we headed to a local restaurant that promised the “best chicken wings in Chicago”.

They truly weren’t bad, either, but I wake up to the realisation that I left something at the bar. A very kind gentleman helps me recover it when I return, despite being an Everton fan.

Back at the hotel, meanwhile, one of my colleagues has been telling staff just how much I love tea. Leading to a very keen and friendly waiter ensuring a fresh pot is pretty much always nearby. We appreciate you, Gabriel.

It’s a double-training-session day and while attending the morning edition, I make the mistake of underestimating the sun’s rays and risk not applying lotion.

The consequences of my actions can be summarised by the words of another colleague: “I came in and you looked beaming red.”

Back at base, we’re sitting down with Freddie Wooodman for an interview about his new contract with the club.

Amid the small talk, it’s discovered the goalkeeper is a man after my and many others’ own heart: namely, a big fan of television series The Bear. He’s scouting a trip to Mr. Beef, the Chicago restaurant the show is inspired by, too.

Thursday

The morning’s training brings the very pleasant sight of Stefan Bajcetic participating alongside his teammates as he continues a recovery from long-term injury.

The No.43, who last featured in a competitive match in May 2024, is treated to applause from the squad. Those claps extend to Woodman as well, in recognition of that just-announced contract news.

Another workout coming in at around two hours long concludes with Chiesa, Harvey Elliott, Kerkez, Szoboszlai and Tsimikas challenging each other at free-kicks and shooting.

Kudos to our camera operator for capturing a couple of their brilliant finishes.

Elsewhere, Giovanni Leoni is a physical specimen to behold amid his rehabilitation for a long-term ACL injury. The defender is doing laps of the training facility and other exercises on the day.

Also present is Hugo Ekitike, who undertakes some bicycle work on the perimeter of the pitches. He, of course, is dealing with a ruptured Achilles.

“All good,” the Frenchman responds when asked how he is while saying hello to everyone.

For all of the party, the afternoon is free to explore the city. A cohort of the media team tick off a list of must-visit spots on a beautifully warm day: Mr. Beef, the Chicago Riverwalk, The Bean and the lakefront.

We bump into backroom staff and players as we wind through our journey, and see Szoboszlai*…

*Edit: A man with dark hair and a Liverpool jersey printed with Szoboszlai’s name.

Friday

Welcome home, as they say in Nashville.

A short trip directly south from Chicago takes us to Music City, and we’re treated to another warm and friendly reception upon arrival at Tennessee. Side note, the lady I was sat next to on my flight was on her way here to get married, no less. All the best!

Liverpool, of course, are coming to contest their opening match of the summer.

Did you know the venue for the clash with Sunderland, GEODIS Park, is the largest soccer-specific stadium across the whole of the USA and Canada? Well, you definitely do now.

• Watch all of Liverpool's pre-season matches live on All Red Video this summer - join here

LFCTV’s Preview Show for the match will be bringing you a wealth of build-up to the game – which can be watched live on All Red Video from 10pm BST on Saturday.

Included in the programme will be S. Farrelly, who is well known for performing in WWE under the name Sheamus and is a massive Reds fan.

The squad touch down shortly after 6pm local time for what will be a whirlwind stay.

Speak to you again soon, we are off down Broadway...