Andoni Iraola's first pre-season as Liverpool head coach is already underway, but it's not until next week that he'll be able to welcome back his full squad. While the return of players for pre-season preparatory work has begun, the new coach will have his work cut out for him as he looks to address three key issues to ensure the Reds' bounce back from a disappointing campaign. Firstly, Iraola must get to grips with the future of Curtis Jones. Liverpool have rebuffed two approaches from Inter for the England international, with a gap in valuation between the two clubs. Jones, who has been enjoying a summer holiday, will report back at the AXA Training Centre next week. With a midfield spot potentially open due to the absence of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, Jones could grasp the opportunity to impress. However, the Academy graduate's future remains uncertain, and Iraola will need to have internal conversations with Jones to determine if he is ready for a fresh start at Liverpool or if pastures new are on the horizon. Secondly, Iraola must assess the potential of new signing Jeremy Jacquet. The Frenchman, who turned 21 on Monday and is fresh off shoulder surgery, will likely start alongside Joe Gomez at centre-back across the summer. While Jacquet is eager to impress, his performances will be one of the key subplots of the pre-season period. Iraola has a reputation for improving young defenders, and it will be fascinating to see if he can coax performances out of Jacquet that lead to a successful future at Liverpool. Lastly, Iraola must determine the best position for Rio Ngumoha. The teenager enjoyed a breakout summer last year and has been rewarded with a fresh contract. Liverpool are looking to recruit wingers, and Ngumoha's skill and potential have caught the eye of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. While he has primarily played on the left, there is a discussion at Liverpool about the prospect of using Ngumoha as a more traditional wideman on the right side, getting on the outside and supplying dangerous balls into the box. Iraola's reputation for improving young forwards could see him turn Ngumoha into the player many believe he can be, and a positional tweak may yet be in the offing. As Iraola embarks on his first pre-season as Liverpool head coach, these three issues will be at the forefront of his mind. While the return of players has begun, it's not until next week that the real work begins, and Iraola will need to act quickly to ensure the Reds' bounce back from a disappointing campaign.
