Liverpool are finalising their pre-season plans with Jurgen Klopp sending a stark warning to his side that they have to “step up”.
The Reds have endured a hugely inconsistent campaign this time around. Ahead of Thursday evening’s clash with West Ham at the London Stadium, Klopp’s side sit seventh in the Premier League table and nine points adrift of the Champions League places.
The German and the Anfield faithful will likely be keen for the current campaign to end as soon as possible. Whilst that might be the case, plans are already being put in place for their return to action with a pre-season schedule already taking shape.
According to ThisIsAnfield, the Reds will return to training on July 8 after their respective holidays. They will then head to Germany for a training camp in Donaueschingen in the Black Forest.
Whilst over in Klopp’s home country, they also hope to play a game against local side Karlsruher SC - a game that will officially open the club’s new 34,000-seater stadium, Wildparkstadion. Talks regarding that clash are ongoing.
From there, Liverpool will then travel over to Asia for a mini pre-season tournament. There, they will play another German side in the form of Bayern Munich, where they will also be reunited with former forward Sadio Mane.
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A final fixture will see the Reds go up against either Serie A giants Roma or Premier League rivals Tottenham. The dates for the start of the 23/24 top-flight campaign have already been confirmed - next season set to get underway on Saturday August 12.
Ahead of next season, boss Klopp has already revealed his desire for his side to assemble as soon as possible after their breaks. Speaking in a press conference ahead of his side’s showdown with West Ham, he said: “This year must be different.
“We have to step up. And we have to prepare that in the pre-season and that's why I want them back together as quick as somehow possible, respecting the necessity of holidays.
“I know that and I respect that. I want them to go on holiday for as long as possible but, for this year, we have to make sure we are together as soon as possible and can go from there. The next season stands above everything, to be honest.”
Following their clash with the Hammers, Liverpool face a further six fixtures as they attempt to scramble together a European finish of any sort. They face London sides Tottenham, Fulham and Brentford at Anfield before a trip to struggling Leicester.
They round off their campaign with a home clash with in-form Aston Villa before taking on relegation candidates Southampton on the final day of the campaign.
