News Focus
- Andoni Iraola becomes new Liverpool head coach following Arne Slot’s dismissal after a disappointing title defence
- The Spanish manager inherits a side that conceded 53 league goals and finished 24 points behind their previous campaign’s total
- Iraola has just 33 days to prepare his squad before the new season starts on August 22
- Expensive signings Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike played only 119 minutes together due to injuries
- The Basque coach must implement an attacking “heavy-metal” style to win back frustrated Anfield supporters
Andoni Iraola has officially taken charge at Liverpool after the club dismissed Arne Slot. The Dutchman lost his job despite guiding the Reds to the Premier League title in his first year at Anfield.
The Merseyside giants endured a terrible defence of their crown last term. They collected 24 fewer points than during their championship-winning campaign. The team finished closer to the relegation zone than to Arsenal, who claimed the title.
Liverpool also shipped 53 goals in the league. This figure represents their worst defensive record in a 38-game Premier League season. They conceded 20 times from set-pieces, a statistic matched only by Bournemouth, Iraola’s former club.
The new manager faces a race against time. The upcoming campaign begins on August 22, just 33 days after the World Cup final. Iraola will have limited opportunity to work with his players on the training ground.
Fixing the backline represents his most urgent priority. Ibrahima Konate has left Anfield on a free transfer, leaving a significant gap in central defence. Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are expected to compete for the role alongside Virgil van Dijk, though both youngsters face fitness concerns.
Between the sticks, Alisson Becker remains a key figure. The Brazilian goalkeeper has a contract until 2027, though Italian giants Juventus have shown interest in his services.
Further up the pitch, Iraola must solve the puzzle of his star attackers. The club spent £320.5 million last summer to bring in Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. However, injuries restricted the trio to just 119 minutes on the pitch together. They managed only 19 league goals between them.
The supporters grew restless during the final weeks of last season. Fans booed the team after disappointing draws against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Slot failed to find solutions to opposing teams’ defensive tactics, leading to his eventual sacking.
Iraola arrives with a reputation for high-energy, aggressive football. Sporting director Richard Hughes specifically chose the 43-year-old to implement a “front-foot” style similar to Jurgen Klopp’s successful era. The club wants “heavy-metal football” rather than the cautious approach seen last season.
The former Bournemouth boss must also decide the futures of Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez. Both England internationals have only 12 months remaining on their contracts. Inter Milan want Jones, while Gomez could also depart.
Additionally, Iraola needs to revitalise Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. These players struggled to match their previous form. He must also develop 17-year-old forward Rio Ngumoha, who is expected to transition from substitute to regular starter.
Iraola prefers to focus on coaching rather than recruitment. Hughes and CEO Michael Edwards will handle transfers, with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande already identified as a potential target.
The new manager proved at Bournemouth that he can integrate young defenders successfully. Liverpool will hope he can repeat that trick while restoring the club’s attacking threat.