Andoni Iraola, head coach of Liverpool, has addressed various topics including the ongoing transfer window, player contracts, and the appointment of a vice-captain, during a press conference held in Chicago. The discussion took place as the team arrived in the USA for their pre-season tour.
Iraola indicated that strengthening the squad remains a priority, particularly in the winger position. He stated, “We definitely need to sign a winger.” The club recently acquired Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34 million. However, the departure of Mohamed Salah has created a vacancy that the team aims to fill. The head coach acknowledged that the market’s fluidity makes it challenging to specify an exact number of new players needed, but emphasised the importance of remaining open to opportunities to enhance the squad.
Squad depth and player injuries
The defensive line is an area of concern for Liverpool, with Iraola noting that the team is currently “very thin” due to injuries. He highlighted the situation at right-back, where Conor Bradley is recovering from a serious knee injury and is expected to be absent for the initial months of the season. While the club trusts Bradley for the long term, his current unavailability necessitates exploring solutions in the transfer market to bolster defensive depth.
Other players, including Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, have also moved on, further impacting the squad’s composition. Iraola mentioned that Giovanni Leoni is the closest among the injured players to return, while Bradley and Hugo Ekitike are still some months away from rejoining the team.
Regarding existing players, Iraola confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson Becker will remain with the club despite earlier interest from Juventus. Alisson, along with experienced players like Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, is seen as a crucial reference point for new signings and younger players adapting to the team.
Pre-season preparations and leadership roles
The pre-season friendlies are considered vital for building a strong foundation for the upcoming season, especially for a new coach. Iraola stressed that every training session and friendly is “massive” given the limited time to work with the full squad. The team is scheduled to play five friendlies before the season commences, with the first match against Sunderland in Nashville.
Some players, including Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Alisson, will not be travelling to the US for the initial part of the pre-season. Iraola explained that this decision was made to allow them to start their pre-season at Kirkby as part of a smaller group, considering Van Dijk’s extensive playing time last season.
Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai recently signed a new five-year contract, which Iraola described as “one of the probably greatest news since I arrived.” Szoboszlai’s commitment and leadership by example in training have been noted, with Iraola expecting him to be a key leader for the team moving forward.
The position of vice-captain is yet to be filled following Robertson’s departure. Iraola indicated that he would address this decision later in the pre-season, once he has had the opportunity to meet more of the squad members face-to-face. He emphasised that leadership extends beyond wearing an armband, stating that the team needs “a lot of captains in the pitch.”
Alexis Mac Allister, despite being linked with a move to Spain, is expected to be a key player for Liverpool in the upcoming season, with Iraola counting on his contributions.
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Source: liverpoolfc.com
Freya Donnelly is the Sports Reporter at News-UK, covering tennis, cricket and athletics with seven years of reporting experience. She reported on Team GB through an Olympic cycle. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Brighton and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Brighton, she plays club cricket in the summer. “Listening is the most underrated skill in sports reporting.”
