Andoni Iraola has had his first look at some of his Liverpool squad in training, including one player who could provide an alternative option to replace Mohamed Salah this summer
04:00, 08 Jul 2026
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Andoni Iraola head coach of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on July 07, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has now seen the first few members of his Liverpool squad in training
The hard work has officially begun for Andoni Iraola, with Liverpool’s new head coach getting his first glimpse at his new squad this week.
While the wider focus is still on the World Cup at the moment, with just a few games remaining until we find out who will reign supreme on the international stage, it won’t be long until all eyes turn back to the Premier League.
Indeed, all but two of Liverpool’s players have already exited the tournament, and Iraola will soon have all of his stars to call upon, having had the first batch at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday.
It was only a small group that was greeted back to work yesterday, including new signing Jeremy Jacquet, while Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni continued to work on their recoveries from serious injuries.
At such an early stage, there is little to nothing to glean from the first session of the summer, but in amongst those returning was one of the more intriguing transfer dilemmas Iraola and the club will face.
Harvey Elliott shouldn’t really be at Liverpool right now. Having joined Aston Villa on loan last summer, his Anfield career looked to have reached its conclusion. All he needed was to play 10 games to secure a permanent exit, but Unai Emery had other ideas.
Now, the 23-year-old faces his most crucial summer yet. Having had his talent wasted for a year, he and Liverpool need to settle on what the next step in his career is.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JULY 07: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Harvey Elliott of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on July 07, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Harvey Elliott is back at Liverpool this summer
Could that still be at Liverpool? At this moment in time, it’s not off the table.
The Reds are clearly in need of a refresh after the disappointment of last season, and there’s no area that could do with a new look more than the right wing. Mohamed Salah is gone, and recent attempts to secure a big-name signing have proved fruitless.
Elliott is probably still unlikely to be the frontrunner to replace the Egyptian, but when the first and possibly second-choice transfer options have been ruled out, suddenly the two-time European U21 champion looks an increasingly attractive prospect.
And working in his favor is that, for much of his time at Liverpool, Elliott has been something of a protege for Salah.
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“He’s a good kid. He’s learning, I always try to push him in the gym and also practice after training and just do something extra because without working hard, we would not achieve something big,” Salah said of Elliott back in 2023.
“But he’s having a good career and I’m sure he can have much better than that, but he just needs to put in the work and I’m happy for him. I’m always next to his side and always tell him, if he wants to speak then come to me.
“Sometimes you need to work as a coach for young players but I’m happy about it.”
Harvey Elliott celebrates with Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah took Harvey Elliott under his wing at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
For a player of Salah’s stature to take an interest in a younger player suggests that they may have the potential to go on do something special. Clearly, the past year - maybe even two years, considering opportunities were scarce in Arne Slot’s first season in charge - has set Elliott back.
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But this summer, the slate is wiped clean. Iraola will look at Elliott with an open mind, and no doubt aware that finding a replacement for Salah could be very expensive.
Elliott would certainly save Liverpool plenty of money, but it would be unfair on him if he were to be retained while still not getting more playing time. He has to do right by himself this summer, but with Salah’s backing, he could yet play himself back into contention at Anfield.