Pre-season results are rarely a reliable indicator of what lies ahead.
History offers plenty of examples, including Iago Aspas, who impressed on his Liverpool debut in a friendly in 2013 but managed just one competitive goal before returning to Spain a year later.
For Andoni Iraola, however, pre-season is not about results - it's about laying the foundations for his tenure as Liverpool head coach.
This week marked the true beginning of Iraola's reign.
After addressing the media for the first time at the AXA Training Centre on Monday, the 44-year-old welcomed the majority of his first-team squad back to training as preparations intensified for the new campaign.
Iraola made it clear that Liverpool still need reinforcements, with transfer activity expected to accelerate once the World Cup concludes.
In the meantime, the club received a major boost after Dominik Szoboszlai committed his future by signing a new five-year contract.
One of Iraola's biggest early decisions will be appointing a new vice-captain.
With Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson both departing this summer, the leadership group has undergone significant change.
Virgil van Dijk remains club captain, but at 35 years old and entering the final year of his contract, Liverpool are already planning for the future.
While goalkeeper Alisson Becker is among the senior figures in the dressing room, his contract also expires next summer, making Szoboszlai a leading candidate for the role.
"I'm 25. Mo left, Robbo left, so our vice-captain left and a club legend as well," said the Hungary captain.
"Someone else has to step up and if it's me, I'm ready to do it."
The first days of pre-season focused on fitness assessments before the squad returned to ball work later in the week.
Iraola has been heavily involved throughout the sessions, regularly encouraging players and demanding high intensity.
Training footage released by the club has highlighted the energy and tempo he expects from his squad.
Behind the scenes, the coaching staff have spent long hours evaluating every player, with Iraola telling the squad he views them as "new signings" as he assesses who fits into his plans.
Several players have already caught the eye.
Harvey Elliott reported back earlier than expected, Curtis Jones has returned in excellent condition, while young defender Jeremy Jacquet has recovered from his shoulder injury and is settling into the first-team environment after being handed the number five shirt.
Medical staff have also been pleased with the overall fitness levels across the squad.
Iraola has introduced a new endurance test that differs from those used under former managers Jürgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
Instead of straight-line running, players complete high-intensity directional drills designed to replicate match situations.
"It's deceptive as your legs just go," Joe Gomez joked to Curtis Jones during one session.
With eight senior players still away following the World Cup, Liverpool's younger players have been given an opportunity to impress.
Club insiders describe the atmosphere around the training ground as youthful, with Iraola encouraging emerging talent to stake a claim before the full squad returns.
"There are definitely going to be changes," Iraola said.
"A lot of senior players who have won everything here have left and we need others to assume more responsibility, both on and off the pitch."
Although Iraola's personality differs from the charismatic presence of Jürgen Klopp, he has already earned respect within the club for the work he previously achieved at Bournemouth.
Those who know him believe he will remain true to his methods rather than trying to emulate his predecessor.
Liverpool's preparations will step up another level when the squad departs for the United States, where they will base themselves in Chicago before playing pre-season fixtures in Nashville and New York.
The tour will see most of Liverpool's World Cup players rejoin the squad, while several academy prospects - including 15-year-old Josh Abe - will also travel.
Alongside three friendly matches, the players face double training sessions in the American summer heat, giving Iraola his first real opportunity to mould the squad ahead of what Liverpool hope will be the start of a successful new chapter.
