Liverpool returned to training on Saturday as Jurgen Klopp looked to whip his side into shape for another challenging season ahead.
Senior stars such as Darwin Nunez, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara returned, with others including Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, as well as new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, will report to the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday.
But two young players who made their mark last season were busy Sunday as England U21s took on Spain in the European Championship final.
Curtis Jones started for England and scored the winning goal for the Three Lions, as they edged to a 1-0 win. The Liverpool midfielder knew little about the goal, as Cole Palmer's free-kick deflected off him beyond the goalkeeper..
Jones and Harvey Elliott - who was introduced into the game as a late substitute - have both impressed at the tournament and will be looking to do the same when they return for Liverpool. But what does the season hold for them? Our writers had their say.
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Theo Squires: If we were having this conversation a little over three months ago, you would have worried for Curtis Jones heading into this summer.
He was barely getting a sniff during another injury-plagued campaign, and with a long-awaited midfield revamp scheduled for the summer, there were serious doubts about his Liverpool future. But, what a difference those three months have made.
Finally able to put together a run of games, he is playing with confidence and goes from strength-to-strength. While the Reds' new formation got the best of Trent Alexander-Arnold, moving him to central positions, Jones was also crucial to the success of such a set-up.
Right at the heart of Liverpool's season-ending 11-game run, he stepped up with big goals in important games from that advanced midfield position on the left. Now thriving in a deeper role for England, he just needs to carry such form into the new season.
Yes, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai ensure he is probably a back-up option if everything goes to plan once the campaign gets underway, while he will be playing catch-up after his international exploits. But he's now shown what he can do when given a run of games and trusted by his manager.
If either of the new signings take time to settle, especially in a formation they won't be used to, he is the perfect option to start ahead of them. Then it's up to Jones to do enough to keep the shirt, knowing his versatility makes him a valuable asset in midfield whichever system Klopp opts for.
As for Elliott, his form dipped as last season wore on, but that's to be expected from an over-exposed player at such a young age. He will be stronger for the ups and downs, even if the jury is still out on whether he is a midfielder in the long-term.
He'll still get starting opportunities there of course, with the Europa League a good platform for the 20-year-old to showcase his abilities. Meanwhile, with Mohamed Salah due to depart for Africa Cup of Nations duty in January, he could emerge as Klopp's main right-wing deputy.
While Jones has benefitted from nailing down a position in midfield, Elliott doesn't need to settle on a specific role just yet. He won't be first-choice in midfield or attack, but there enough games for him to still make an impact.
Inconsistency is natural at such a young age, but Jones has just shown his younger team-mates and onlookers the value of patience.
Both are valued squad players, on the cusp of something more. For now, that's enough. If they keep pushing in the right direction, they'll emerge as key Liverpool players yet.
Joe Rimmer: It's fair to say that for Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, 2022/23 was a season of immense progress.
Elliott underlined his status as a regular Liverpool starter, featuring in every Liverpool match up until the 0-0 draw with Chelsea in April. His form did fluctuate but Elliott remained a key man for Jurgen Klopp.
Jones, meanwhile, fought his way into Klopp's thinking late in the season, starting 11 consecutive games and producing the best form of his Liverpool career as they went unbeaten.
But the challenge starts now for both young men, with two new signings in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai becoming direct rivals for their places in midfield. It might be fully make or break for their Liverpool careers, but the increased competition could be the making of both of them.
Indeed, their minutes can be better managed. Elliott has been overexposed at times, and Jones, who has suffered from injury problems, will be able to continue his development without the pressures that last season's problems brought.
They can also chip in in different positions. Liverpool's change of formation has been brilliant for Jones, allowing him to get further up the pitch without being an out-and-out attacker, while Elliott's versatility should see him feature regularly enough.
The Europa League will also be sure to be a chance for both to continue their progress. It might not be quite make or break for either player, but a good season next year can ensure they become a big part of Klopp's plans for years to come.
