EXCLUSIVE: Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey says Andoni Iraola needs to strengthen his midfield department this summer, with an ideal target in the Premier League named
06:00, 18 Jun 2026
Andoni Iraola during a Bournemouth training session.
Andoni Iraola during a Bournemouth training session.(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes strengthening in the center of the pitch must be a priority for the Reds this summer as they prepare for the Andoni Iraola era.
The Spaniard has taken over from Arne Slot at Anfield, and there is a lot of work to be done by sporting director Richard Hughes. Liverpool is hopeful of returning to a more intense style of play, with a severe need for more pace and quality in wide areas.
"Playing style is the thing that everyone pointed to, wasn't it? I think we've been spoiled as such with Jurgen Klopp," Heskey tells Liverpool.com.
"But again, we've got to remember it took Klopp a few years for the players to get used to what he actually wanted, and then to get the players in that he wanted as well.
"I think that was one of the main things that the fans were particularly disgruntled with, the slow tempo of play. It used to be heavy metal football, all gung ho, just swarming over teams and really overpowering them, when we really didn't have that anymore.
"You always want to get off to a good start as a manager, just to put yourself at ease if anything and just so you know you’re on the right track and things are going to be OK."
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 9: Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola during the Premier League match between Fulham and Bournemouth at Craven Cottage on May 9, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has plenty of issues to resolve when he arrives at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
In addition to working on the training field in terms of fitness and how Iraola wants his new group of players to line up, transfers will be important to add more depth to the roster Liverpool currently has.
Wingers are one requirement, but Heskey thinks that midfield is another department that needs an upgrade. Curtis Jones has interest from Inter Milan and Alexis Mac Allister has been linked with an exit too.
"I think midfield is a key place that they need to add to," Heskey, speaking on behalf of Live Football Tickets, continues.
"I think another one of the most important places is center-back. Ibrahima Konate is gone now, so there are two positions that they need straight away to get up and running.
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"We all know that these sorts of things don't happen straight away, do they? There are so many intricacies to deals that can prolong them for a long time. So these things are not going to happen.
"We did it last year. We got a lot of our things over and done with so we could actually get the season up and running. It really didn't pan out the way that we wanted it to, but if we could do it again, it would be.
"I think I see Alex Scott being the one for midfield. Adam Wharton would be another good one. I know Elliot Anderson looks like he's going to Man City. He would have been another one.
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"I think midfielders are the priority and then center-back, someone to work alongside Virgil van Dijk who makes us solid again because we haven't been. We haven't been solid for a while."