Andoni Iraola faces an early headache as the World Cup threatens to disrupt his preparations
Andoni Iraola.
Andoni Iraola may have already hit a stumbling block at Anfield(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Liverpool have already been active in the summer transfer window. Agreements are in place to secure Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet to bolster Andoni Iraola's first-team squad, while young defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe is also set to join, though he is not expected to make an immediate impression as the club monitors his progression.
Further additions are certain to follow, although whether Yan Diomande will eventually be amongst them remains uncertain as the club continues to pursue the teenager. The 19-year-old is currently featuring at the World Cup with Ivory Coast, who face Curacao at 9pm in their final group-stage fixture of the tournament.
Liverpool presently have several stars representing their nations across the Atlantic, including captain Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister. However, their ongoing involvement in the World Cup could pose challenges for Iraola as he begins his first preseason.
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The new Liverpool manager is hoping to begin preparations for the 2026/27 Premier League campaign in July, but a complication could arise with those arrangements. Here, the ECHO has all the latest emerging from Anfield.
Andoni Iraola faces early setback
Iraola will probably have to wait longer to work with a complete Liverpool squad due to the demands of the World Cup. The Reds have eight representatives at the competition, including new signing Victor Munoz.
Given their recent performances, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil and Sweden all have the chance to advance further into the knockout stages. Germany and Argentina have already secured their place in the next round, meaning Florian Wirtz and Alexis Mac Allister are guaranteed further fixtures heading into July.
Andoni Iraola.
Andoni Iraola could already have issues at Anfield(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Iraola is expected to commence pre-season training around Monday, July 13, as he looks to bring trophies and glory back to Anfield this term. However, there is a real possibility that all eight players could miss at least the opening stages of preparations for the new campaign, handing the new Reds manager an early roadblock to his plans to work with his entire squad.
This could well include Liverpool's three-match tour of the United States, which kicks off with a friendly against Sunderland on July 25. This is because the Reds recently introduced a policy permitting players three weeks off once they have concluded their involvement in major international tournaments.
With the round of 16 in the World Cup getting under way on July 4, there is a strong likelihood that any players progressing this far with their respective nations will play no part in the US tour. The new manager may have to wait until early August before having a full squad at his disposal ahead of the season opener.
Concern raised over £112m transfer plan
Jamie Carragher has urged Liverpool to carefully weigh up whether Yan Diomande is "worth" pursuing this summer, given the club's costly recent transfer activity. It emerged last week that the Reds had tabled an offer of €100million (£86m) for the winger, who is also being tracked by Paris Saint-Germain.
However, RB Leipzig are reported to be holding out for at least €130m (£112m), according to The Athletic. Last summer, Liverpool made a significant splash in the transfer market, spending a staggering £446m on new arrivals, including £125m on Alexander Isak.
Yan Diomande.
Carragher is concerned that Yan Diomande isn't worthwhile(Image: MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images)
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Further additions included Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Giovanni Leoni, Armin Pesci and Freddie Woodman. Carragher has now advised his former club to think carefully before committing funds to what he regards as "potential" rather than established quality.
He told Sky Sports: "I thought he [Diomande] was fantastic in the first game of the World Cup. Less so in the second game, but still was a real danger. I think what you'd be buying is potential, it's not what he is right now. He's a 19-year-old kid, he's a young man. But when you look at him physically, he looks like he's got all those attributes.
"You think of the success Liverpool have had in the past with powerful, quick, wide men. You think of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, especially those two. He certainly looks like he's got those type of traits. That's a big thing that Liverpool lacked last season, pace in those wide areas.
"They've already got a signing in now from Spain, from Osasuna, Victor Munoz. Maybe they want a little bit of pace on the other side as well. I think it's pretty obvious where Liverpool were lacking last season. That looks like where they're going in the market. But is he worth it? Time will tell.
"As I said, Liverpool spent big last summer. Right now, a year on, we probably would say those players don't look worth it."
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