Andoni Iraola has already outlined his desire to work with Liverpool’s academy talents and returning loanees as part of his first pre-season as head coach.
Iraola was officially unveiled as Liverpool’s new head coach on Thursday night, with the Spaniard signing an initial two-year contract.
He will begin work in the background ahead of the start of pre-season in July, though he already knows he will be missing many of his key players in those early weeks due to the World Cup.
But in his first interview with LFCTV, Iraola showed a refreshing desire to use that time to assess the club’s standout youngsters.
Andoni Iraola new manager of Liverpool Football Club at Anfield on June 04, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“We will have a chance to work especially with some of the young players, because a lot of senior players will be out and arriving later,” he explained.
“I think it gives us the chance to know better the players from the academy, some of the players who have been on loan.
“They will be an important part of the first part of pre-season, the American tour, and I think in that way it works very well for us.
“It will give us a lot of information before we make decisions before we start the season.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 7, 2026: Liverpool's Joshua Abe during the U18 Premier League match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Everton FC Under-18's, the Mini-Mini Merseyside Derby, at Finch Farm. Everton won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While it is crucial that Iraola works with those who are set to form the core of his squad as he implements a new style of play, it is hugely encouraging that he is equally happy to integrate the next generation.
Winger Josh Abe, 15, is expected to be part of the tour of the United States after committing his future to the club amid lucrative offers from elsewhere.
“I think it’s important both ways,” Iraola continued.
“The senior players who have played in the World Cup, they’ll have been feeling the pressure, they’ve been playing for their countries, I think they need and deserve a rest.
“And also this allows us to give those important minutes to train more closely with the young players who probably we don’t know as well.
“We’ve been here three seasons playing a lot of times against Liverpool and there are players we already know, but there are other players probably that haven’t had the minutes, have played for the development squad, have been on loan.
“Those training [sessions], those minutes, will be very valuable for those of us who make decisions.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There will of course be decisions to make on the likes of Harvey Elliott, Trey Nyoni, Kieran Morrison and Luke Chambers, who could find themselves in contention for first-team roles under Iraola.
He will be doing his homework behind the scenes over the next month and no doubt will liaise with Liverpool’s pathways team to assess the options available to him.
“Everything has happened very quickly. I just finished the season and that was when we really started thinking ‘OK, what’s going to be the next step?’,” Iraola said.
“Now that we know what’s happening, I want to get ready.”