Concerns Rise Over Liverpool's Fitness Ahead of Premier League Start

Andoni Iraola's Liverpool faced challenges in their pre-season friendlies, losing to Leeds and Monaco after initially leading in both matches. The team is set to begin their Premier League campaign against Newcastle on August 23.

In the recent match against Monaco, Iraola noted that while the team performed well in the first 30 minutes, they struggled to maintain that intensity throughout the game. He acknowledged that the squad needs to enhance their fitness levels to execute his desired style of play.

Several players are still regaining fitness after the World Cup, and some are sidelined due to injuries. Iraola's assistant, Pablo de la Torre, has joined the team to focus on fitness training. Despite the setbacks, there are indications that the team can improve, although Iraola cautioned that it will take time to fully implement his strategies.