Somewhere, right now, Andoni Iraola is enjoying the remainder of his summer break as a very preoccupied man.
Sun, sea and sand might be aplenty, but the mind of Liverpool’s new manager will be awash with how things are going to work next season.
The former Bournemouth man has a very specific method of play: full-frontal, aggressive and breathless. It’s what both Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have now subscribed to and it will be Liverpool’s mantra going forward.
And so, after inheriting some of the best players in world football, Iraola now has to begin putting the steps in motion, sculpting these superstars into his line of thinking.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola ahead of the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Saturday May 9, 2026.
For some, this will be exciting, energising and something to relish. For others, perhaps a more daunting and less appealing task.
We’ve taken a look at those who will likely thrive under the new boss, and those who may need to put in the hard yards.
Who are the Iraola-ready players?
• Alisson
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Though now entering the twilight of his career, Alisson is very much suited to everything that Iraola stands for.
Alisson doesn’t just want to pull off the big stops to rescue the Reds; he wants to trigger attacks and act as the first block in the sequence. It’s been seen time and time again over the seasons.
Should his body allow, expect to see Alisson revert to his former self under Jurgen Klopp – heavily involved in the build-up from the back and predominantly playing as a sweeper keeper behind a high and aggressively pushed defensive line.
• Virgil van Dijk
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
One of the first things former boss Arne Slot noted upon his arrival was his surprise at just how much better Van Dijk is when up close in person, especially on the ball.
Though turning 35 years old in a matter of weeks, the Dutchman remains at the highest level and is still as good in possession now as the first day he put on a Liverpool shirt. For Iraola, this is crucial.
Last season, Van Dijk had the second most touches in the Premier League (3252), but it came as no surprise to see Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi also in the top five (2977).
The Argentine was instrumental at the back for the Cherries and Iraola gave careful instructions to Senesi to get things moving from the back. In Van Dijk, he has the dream tool at his disposal.
A possible downside, though, could be that Iraola’s soon-to-be-deployed high defensive line may pose a little concern for the Dutchman at this stage in his career.
• Jeremy Jacquet
But right on cue, this is where the big money summer signing comes in. A pure athlete in the most raw and physical form, Liverpool will soon be unveiling Jacquet just as he turns 21 years old and begins his journey to becoming the next big thing in the Premier League.
While the youngster may require patience, he has all the traits that Iraola loves in a defender, particularly blistering pace and the sinewy strength to match.
Should he adjust quickly, Jacquet could be the perfect foil for Van Dijk, striking up a relationship which hopefully exceeds the previous bond established with Ibrahima Konate.
• Milos Kerkez
This one goes without saying. The Hungarian speedster not only improved under Iraola but stamped his name firmly in the Premier League team of the season at left-back.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool substitute Milos Kerkez during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It was a match made in heaven. Iraola, himself a former international-level full-back with Spain, crafted Kerkez into a killer outlet, utilising his natural skill set of combative tackling and powerful engine capacity.
Expect the lung-busting runs to return next season, as Kerkez and his former mentor pick up where they left off.
• Ryan Gravenberch
A vital component of Iraola football is proficient ball carrying.
Over his few seasons in a Liverpool shirt, Gravenberch has shown he is often second to none in this department. At the time of writing, the Dutch national has the most ball carries at the World Cup and is in the top 10 when it comes to progressive passes into the final third.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's goalscorer Ryan Gravenberch during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While the No. 6 experiment used under Slot is set to end, it appears highly likely that Iraola will fashion Gravenberch into a new niche of his own, hopefully restoring his depleted confidence in the process.
• Dominik Szoboszlai
Should the saga surrounding the Hungarian’s contract situation be remedied, Szoboszlai could be a crucial player for the new manager – arguably the most important.
Szoboszlai is everything Iraola loves in a dynamic midfielder: the insane fitness levels, the dogged determination, nimble footwork and strength in possession.
• Florian Wirtz
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 14, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It will come as music to the ears of all fans that the data suggests Florian Wirtz should very much fit into Iraola’s way of playing.
It would, of course, have been a huge consideration when identifying a new manager. Bringing someone in who immediately would not fancy the £115 million man would have been beyond farce.
However, it’s not simply a case that Iraola will favour Wirtz simply because of his status and obvious talent – the German star ticks a lot of the boxes that the new manager desires.
Quick interchanges and forward passes are non-negotiable and Wirtz does both as though they’re second nature.
Out-of-possession energy will be non-negotiable and it feels like next season we shall truly observe just how hard Wirtz works off the ball as well as on it.
• Rio Ngumoha
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Huge pressure and expectations fall on both the player and the new manager here.
It cannot be easy having so much hype around you, but Iraola’s first task will be to calm all the noise surrounding Rio and get the teenager fully on board with what he needs to do.
Iraola’s arrival times nicely with Rio taking the next step in getting more game-time in the senior ranks. While it is undeniable what the youngster can do on the ball, it is the defensive work and all-round tactical understanding and nuance that he will have to get right early doors in order to flourish under Iraola.
The Spaniard has a proven track record of developing young talents. Rio has all the necessary traits to excel and ensure his new gaffer keeps picking him. This could be a beautiful relationship to watch blossom.
The players who may not suit Iraola
• Giorgi Mamardashvili
It was a very difficult maiden season for Liverpool’s backup stopper. He came in at a time when the team was porous, the defence was regularly pummelled and confidence was at rock bottom.
Irrespective of this, the big Georgian showed his quality on numerous occasions with big saves, crucial interceptions and a willingness to take risks.
The only issue and large question marks hang over his ability on the ball and his comfort in possession.
Iraola is going to require his goalkeeper to be very active, constantly involved and more often than not on standby as an outfield option in triggering attacks. Right now, the jury is out.
• Jeremie Frimpong
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. Liverpool won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Another summer signing who didn’t get the start to a Liverpool career that he envisaged.
Should Liverpool once again start the season undecided as to whether Frimpong is a full-back or a winger, it feels like this project will fail.
Frimpong excelled so impressively under Iraola’s close friend Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen in a system which heavily emphasised the forward runs of the full-backs, but it is important to note that Alonso’s football is less high-octane than Iraola’s, requiring less manic intensity and turnovers.
• Alexis Mac Allister
When it comes to a football brain, Iraola will adore Macca. He’s intelligent, forward-thinking and also tenacious – a rare combination which always feels distinctly South American.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's number ten Alexis Mac Allister during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
What we saw last season, however, was a huge regression in form, in large part brought about by the fact that Alexis Mac Allister was never fully fit at the start of the campaign and rushed back due to the suspension of Gravenberch on the opening weekend.
• Curtis Jones
Probably Liverpool’s most technical midfielder by quite some distance, but it feels like this won’t do it for Iraola. The local lad can often look sublime in possession, but it feels like there is a reason he didn’t get more opportunities under Jurgen Klopp and Slot.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jones can be slow on the ball, artful and calculated. Sometimes it works to great effect, but it’s not really what Iraola is about. The persistent links to a summer exit make sense, especially given Liverpool are going to need to get the cash in for reinvestment.
• Alexander Isak
The biggest case of nervously held breath has to centre around Liverpool’s record signing and the current most expensive player in Premier League history.
It was a debut season to forget for Isak, whose quality is entirely without question. Therein lies the most frustrating and worrying part: Liverpool are certain in the knowledge that they potentially have the best finisher in world football leading the forward line, but things absolutely have to start happening now.
This cannot just be an improved campaign for the £125m man, but rather it has to be the season of his life to get Liverpool back where they belong.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Isak is a very determined athlete. It feels certain that he will buy into anything Iraola asks of him, but if a happy medium is not found, it could be disastrous.
The former Newcastle man isn’t going to overnight turn into a pressing demon, who is constantly breathing down the neck of defenders.
He is more artful, more refined. Entering his peak era, Isak of course isn’t a luxury player for Liverpool, but he needs to be given a crystal clear job description from day one that everybody else can understand and get on board with.
The fact remains simple: a 30-plus goal season for Isak pretty much indicates Liverpool are winning silverware.