Andoni Iraola arrives at Liverpool armed with an important to-do list after Arne Slot‘s tenure, with several areas in need of improvement.
Few would have foreseen a year ago that the club would be overseeing the start of another head coach, having only just lifted the Premier League trophy.
But a lot can happen in 365 days, and now it is Iraola’s turn to take the torch and bring success to Anfield.
It is another season of change for Liverpool, and the Spaniard will be at the heart of overseeing the improvement necessary to compete for silverware.
Bring back Liverpool’s intensity
Andoni Iraola, the manager of Bournemouth shouts instructions. Premier League match, Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool on Saturday 19th August 2023. this image may only be used for Editorial purposes. Editorial use only, license required for commercial use. No use in betting, games or a single club/league/player publications. pic by Chris Stading/Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live news Credit: Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live News
Too many times last season, supporters were left questioning if the previous setup had the full backing of the dressing room, such was the apathy displayed throughout matches.
Thus, an important place for Iraola to start is injecting intensity back into this Liverpool side, restoring them to a team that is aggressive and cannot be easily rolled over.
This goes hand in hand with mentality, which came under scrutiny last season after the mentality monsters of the past became mentality minnows.
It comes naturally to Iraola’s style, and we’re confident he’ll get this right from the off.
Stop conceding the first goal – and bounce back if they do
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceding the third goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This was also an area of improvement for Slot when he inherited Jurgen Klopp‘s squad, and now the baton has been passed on to Iraola.
Last season, the Reds conceded the opening goal 22 times in all competitions from 57 games. Shockingly, they went on to win just two of those matches.
The need to continually muster a comeback proved too much, and it is not something that can be repeated if success is to be achieved.
This goes hand in hand with being intense on and off the ball, and Iraola’s demands ought to address this issue.
Integrate the next generation and keep a close eye on the academy
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 7, 2026: Liverpool's Joshua Abe puts his boot back on during the U18 Premier League match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Everton FC Under-18's, the Mini-Mini Merseyside Derby, at Finch Farm. Everton won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s history with developing youth talent is well known, and championing the pathway between the academy and first team is vital to the club’s self-sustaining model.
That he integrates himself at all levels of the club is paramount, with keen interest in the levels below the first team key for academy staff and youth players.
Thankfully, he has already shown a desire to take a closer look at the emerging talent, saying in his first club interview: “They [young players] will be an important part of the first part of pre-season, the American tour, and I think in that way it works very well for us.”
It sounds good, now to see it in action.
Find a way to win on the road
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 4, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai covers his face as he reacts to conceding the third goal during the FA Cup Quarter Final match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With the expectation that Liverpool are always stronger at Anfield, the need to accumulate points on the road could be the difference between silverware, qualification, or mediocrity.
In 27 away games last season, the Reds lost 13, drew three, and won 11. That is a win rate of 40 percent.
It became a frustrating theme that Liverpool could not stand up to the home side, conceding first on 14 occasions to immediately put them on the back foot.
Iraola must instil resilience when travelling, and his tactical discipline and fast, intense transitions ought to translate when on the road.
Make the squad gel through another transition
PARIS, FRANCE - Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Alexander Isak on the bench before the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There were several mitigating factors to last season’s demise, and after another summer of change, it is up to Iraola and his coaches to make a squad in transition gel as a cohesive unit.
Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz currently lead the arrivals, but the dynamic of the squad will have shifted considerably after the exits of Mo Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.
He has to find the right balance when blooding in the next generation and managing the veterans of his side.
This remit will also include overseeing improved performances from the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez, among others, who struggled to varying extents in their debut seasons.
Liverpool have a talented squad; Iraola just needs to create cohesion and a clear identity that creates a platform for his players to shine.