With the World Cup having only recently concluded, Premier League clubs are already deep into their 2026/27 preseason programmes. The calendar is tight, the travel is heavy and the purpose is clear: get players ready, test combinations and give new faces a chance to make an early impression.

Arsenal, the reigning champions, are among the later starters. Their first friendly comes on Aug. 1 against Girona in Catalonia, before further meetings with Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund and Como. They will then face Manchester City in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Aston Villa have already opened with a 5-0 win over Walsall and continue across Europe and Asia, while Bournemouth began with a 4-1 victory against St. Pauli. Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion both have short schedules remaining, with each taking on European opposition in mid-August.

Chelsea’s first run under new manager Xabi Alonso takes them to Australia for matches against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur, before trips through Hong Kong, Jakarta and Malaysia. Their final friendly is against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge.

Elsewhere, Everton have mixed early results and face a demanding route through Scotland, Germany and home soil before meeting Lille. Fulham also have work to do after a behind-closed-doors defeat to Norwich City. Hull City, Ipswich Town and Coventry City all have their own preparations mapped out, while Crystal Palace have already played twice and continue with fixtures in Italy and Germany.

Liverpool’s schedule includes a United States tour against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United, followed by Monaco and two games against Como on Aug. 16. Manchester City are taking a lighter approach, starting with Inter in Hong Kong before facing the K-League All-Stars, Atlético Madrid and Arsenal. Manchester United, meanwhile, have already lost to Wrexham and beaten Rosenborg 5-0, with Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United and Milan still to come.

Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur also remain busy, with each club using these final weeks to sharpen up before the league begins.

Liverpool are still looking for a wide player after Mohamed Salah’s departure, and the lack of a direct successor is already shaping the club’s thinking. With the new Premier League season drawing closer, it is clear that a simple like-for-like answer is not available.

Víctor Muñoz has arrived from Osasuna to operate on the left, where he can either challenge Cody Gakpo or provide cover in the pressing structure preferred by Andoni Iraola. On the other flank, Liverpool had been linked with Yan Diomande, but the teenager’s reported $114 million valuation and preference for Paris Saint-Germain have made that route difficult. PSG’s Bradley Barcola has also been mentioned, although he is generally considered a left winger. That leaves Liverpool with a need to balance the left side carefully, especially with Rio Ngumoha emerging there too.

Akliouche now looks the more natural fit. The Monaco forward is more comfortable on the right and, like Salah, likes to drift inside onto his left foot. He is also of interest to PSG, which underlines his standing, but his price appears far more manageable than Diomande’s. Current estimates place him around $57 million (€50 million).

Sky Sports reported that Liverpool have made an “initial approach” by asking about his availability this summer. There has been no formal bid, only an attempt to establish whether Monaco are willing to sell and at what price. PSG, meanwhile, have already seen “several” offers turned down, with the highest reportedly worth $45.5 million (€40 million).

Akliouche is not being framed as Salah’s exact successor. His value lies more in creation than scoring, and his assists could be as important as his goals for players such as Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké or Florian Wirtz. He recorded seven goals and 10 assists across Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season.

Out of possession, he also fits the tactical demands of Iraola, regularly helping to win the ball high up the pitch. That profile suggests Liverpool may be moving toward a different kind of attacking balance, one in which the central striker carries more of the scoring load.

Andoni Iraola’s first summer at Liverpool is already carrying significance beyond routine preparation. Preseason will not only shape the squad’s conditioning for 2026/27, it will also help define which fringe figures and emerging talents can earn his trust before the campaign begins.

For several players, the message is simple: deliver now or risk being pushed towards the margins. With uncertainty around selection, fitness and long-term futures, this is a pivotal window for those who need to stand out most.

Curtis Jones is among the most closely watched. Linked with Inter Milan earlier in the year and again this summer, the 25-year-old has the chance to convince Iraola that he belongs in the plans. Iraola has already made his view clear: “I rate Curtis very highly,” Iraola recently declared . “For me he is a great, great player, and I hope he can continue with us and continue performing the way he has been performing.”

Jeremie Frimpong also arrives under scrutiny after an injury-hit debut campaign. Signed to fill a major void, he has yet to settle, and the shift to a flat back four raises fresh questions over where he fits.

Harvey Elliott returns from a poor spell at Aston Villa and now needs a response. He remains technically gifted, but preseason may determine whether there is still a role for him.

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endō both remain popular with supporters, though neither has been central to previous plans. Chiesa’s future appears uncertain, while Endō’s age and contract situation point in one direction, even if he can still help in the short term.

Kostas Tsimikas has an opening to reclaim value as cover at left back, while Trey Nyoni and Stefan Bajčetić are fighting for clarity on their immediate futures. Nyoni’s 20 senior appearances mark him out as one for the present and future, whereas Bajčetić is still battling back after a difficult two years.