Andoni Iraola has been appointed as Liverpool's head coach, and he will be able to call upon two new signings immediately when he meets his new squad this summer
09:51, 06 Jun 2026Updated 09:55, 06 Jun 2026
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) 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)
Andoni Iraola already has two new signings on the way at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola will take charge of two new Liverpool players this summer who were signed under his predecessor Arne Slot. The Spaniard was formally presented as the Reds' new head coach on Thursday, five days after the Dutchman was dismissed.
The former Bournemouth boss is set for a busy summer at Anfield, with the club having lost three pivotal figures in Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. While substantial work will be needed to restore Liverpool as genuine title challengers, Iraola can at least rely upon Jeremy Jacquet and Ifeanyi Ndukwe from the start.
The two defenders were amongst Slot's final signings back in January, with Jacquet having cost the club $83 million (£60M) from Rennes. The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the most promising defenders on the continent and is anticipated to be available for pre-season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Jacquet may find himself with a more significant role than originally expected at Liverpool following Konate's departure, and the young Frenchman emphasized he is determined to make an instant impact at the Premier League club.
He told newspaper Ouest-France : "I won't say it (his decision) was a quick one, because I took my time with this big step but I quickly saw myself at Liverpool. I'll be 21 in July. For me, there's the sporting project and the personal project.
"At my age, I prioritise the sporting side. I'm focused on football. My agent told me there were two choices: either go to a mid-table club or skip the step altogether. Initially, we were leaning towards a mid-table club.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 3: Jeremy Jacquet of Stade Rennais in action during French Cup match between Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais at Orange Velodrome on February 3, 2026 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Jeremy Jacquet will complete his move to Liverpool this summer(Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
"But then I told him, 'If the biggest clubs in Europe are interested, we're not going to turn them down. They're there for a reason.' I spoke with the management; the club's history weighed heavily on my decision, but so did the project they offered me."
"Promising young players command quite high prices and of course, that adds pressure: am I worth that price or not? I think I have the minimum resources to go there. I'm going there to play as much as possible."
Jacquet will be joined by Ndukwe, 18, whom the Reds secured from Austria Vienna. The imposing 6ft 6in prospect drew attention from several clubs after his impressive displays at the Under-17 World Cup, where he led Austria to the final, reports the Mirror.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe of Austria celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Round of 16 match between Austria and England at Aspire Academy
Ifeanyi Ndukwe is a long-term project for Liverpool(Image: Jurij Kodrun - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Ndukwe's forthcoming arrival underlines Liverpool's revitalized ambition to acquire Europe's most promising young talent, as demonstrated by their earlier acquisitions of Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha from Leicester City and Chelsea, respectively.
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The defensive duo will progress under a manager in Iraola who has substantial experience in developing young players. The 43-year-old emphasized the opportunity to compete for trophies when outlining his decision to join Anfield.
Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, he said: "You don't need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool.
"Liverpool is Liverpool. But obviously the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this. It's difficult to find it. So, really excited to start."