But for the Reds players who have already begun their preparations for the start of the new season, the situation presents them with the perfect opportunity to impress new gaffer Roy Hodgson.
Nathan Eccleston is one such starlet hoping to stake an early claim for more first-team action in the coming campaign.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a encouraging 2009-10 term, in which he made his senior bow, signed a new deal, starred for John McMahon's reserves and spent time on loan garnering experience with Huddersfield Town.
Earlier this week, the livewire forward was back at the school he left just three years ago - Manchester's Failsworth School - to hand out special sporting achievement awards to pupils.
LFC TV was kindly invited along to the event and caught up with Eccleston, who told us his hopes and expectations for the forthcoming season, as well as explaining how he plans to impress Hodgson in Switzerland.
Well Nathan, Roy Hodgson is Liverpool's new manager. What's it been like working with him so far?
It was only a few days before Roy Hodgson was appointed that we knew who was going to take charge, so it's still taking a bit of getting used to because we've only been back a week, and for the first two or three days he was being shipped off everywhere doing interviews and things like that.
Around the training ground, he seems to be a well-respected guy. Obviously he demands respect off the players, which is good, but we young lads had an automatic respect for him and it's the same for the older players too. You can see with people like Alberto (Aquilani) and Lucas that there is a lot of respect there for him already.
Pre-season is notoriously tough on players. What's it been like up to now?
It's been difficult. We've had a lot of fitness guys arrive at the club from Australia and a new doctor and physio, and they've all been working us really hard. It's maybe the 'horrible' side of football, but it's pre-season and it's got to be done to make leeway for the future. We've got games coming up thick and fast, so it's important to be ready.
You'll travel with the first team to Switzerland for the training camp - are you looking forward to it?
Definitely. It's exciting and a new challenge for me. It's a great chance to impress the new manager - everybody is in the same boat now and we're all out to impress. Hopefully if I do a good job in Switzerland I will be in his plans for the future.
Click on the play button below to watch the interview.
Things have moved quickly. I was in the youth team and then, last year, I was in the reserves at the age of 18. I then made my first-team debut at Arsenal, signed a new contract and went out on loan. A lot has changed in the past year and I'm happy with it, but hopefully there will be bigger and better things to come.
It's not easy coming through the ranks of the youth team into the reserves and then onto the senior side is it?
Being at a big club like Liverpool, and especially being an English player, it is difficult because talent is brought in from all around the country as well as Europe and South America. Therefore, it has become more difficult over the last couple of years to break into the youth team. I've been here since I was in the U14s and I've come a long way, but I hope to make more of an impact in future and more progress in the first team. Fingers crossed that can happen this season.
Are you hopeful of getting a couple of games under your belt on this pre-season tour?
As I said, we've been working hard on our fitness for the game coming up on Saturday. Obviously the boss hasn't decided on his starting XI yet, but as long as I can get a good few minutes and the chance to show what I can do then I'll be more than happy.
You probably don't know much about Al-Hilal. Have you talked about them much or is this just a game for fitness and getting your touch back?
No, the manager is taking everything seriously. He said earlier this week it's a big game on Saturday and could be one of the most important of the season because it's the first one. Everyone will be going out to impress him and to try to win the game. It may be classed as a friendly, but every game is important and we've got to go out there and do the business.
You're putting in all the ground work for the new season now - how do you see it going?
It's hard to call at the moment because not everyone is back - we've still got about 12 players to return from the World Cup and I think the manager will also look to bring in his own players. But the setup is gelling together well at the moment. The manager has not brought in any new backroom staff yet, but the physios and new medical staff are all here and the atmosphere around the camp is buzzing and very lively. Hopefully we'll have a better season than last.
A word on World Cup. Obviously Sunday's final saw Torres and Reina come up against Kuyt and Babel. Has there been a bit of banter about it in training this week?
There was a bit of banter, yes. Alberto wanted Spain to win, which obviously they did do, but a lot of the players wanted Holland to win. There was good banter between us.
Were there a few 'good luck' text messages being sent?
Yeah. A lot of the boys were sending text messages to the lads involved before the final. It's unfortunate Fernando got injured, but he's still going to be delighted to have won the World Cup!
Finally, what would make Nathan Eccleston happy in the season ahead?
Breaking back into the first team, getting a couple more games under my belt, gaining some more experience and training with the boys on a regular basis. Hopefully I'll progress as a footballer, become better and then who knows? Let's see where the future takes me.
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