Liverpool legend John Barnes has warned new Reds head coach Andoni Iraola against raiding his former club Bournemouth for transfers
14:05, 23 Jun 2026
Andoni Iraola
New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has been warned off raiding his old club Bournemouth(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has been advised against bringing any players from AFC Bournemouth with him to Liverpool. Iraola was appointed as the new Reds head coach last month, following the decision to dismiss Arne Slot barely 12 months after he guided the club to their record-equalling 20th title.
The Spaniard departed Bournemouth at the close of last season, having steered them to European qualification for the first time in the club's history.
Liverpool have already secured their first signing of the Iraola era with the arrival of Spain international forward Victor Munoz from Osasuna for around $45million after beating Newcastle United to his signature.
The club continue to be linked with several players, among them Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.
However, Liverpool legend John Barnes has cautioned against raiding the South Coast club as the Reds look to strengthen their squad following a deeply disappointing recent campaign.
"There's no Bournemouth player I'd like to see him bring to Anfield with him because I don't think there's a Bournemouth player who's better than what we already have," said Barnes, speaking to Betfred.
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola has been told not to raid his old club Bournemouth with Liverpool(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"Alex Scott is somebody that's trusted by Andoni Iraola, but I think the only reason he'd arrive at the club would be solely due to the manager.
"Iraola understands him and if Arne Slot was still the manager, and he's a different manager to Andoni, then maybe he'd have been less suited."
There are high hopes for Milos Kerkez for the upcoming season after the leftback was signed from Bournemouth last summer having flourished under the coaching of Iraola.
Milos Kerkez arrives for a Liverpool game
There are high hopes for Milos Kerkez under Andoni Iraola at Liverpool(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Kerkez struggled last season following his $53m move to Anfield but with Andy Robertson leaving the club this summer, there will be a chance for the Hungarian to make the leftback spot his own.
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Other Bournemouth players who could leave the club include the forward Eli Junior Kroupi, who is of interest to Arsenal, while USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams has besn linked with Chelsea.