Andoni Iraola has revealed that Liverpool’s owners, FSG, gave him an honest assessment of the club’s current situation as he accepted the head coach role.
The 44-year-old inherited a squad that had seen a handful of key figures leave as free agents, while several players still recovering from serious injuries.
Iraola noted in his press conference that Liverpool “need more players” and that the club are “working on it,” with squad depth an obvious issue.
But it was no surprise to the new head coach, as he revealed the club’s owners told him “everything is not perfect” and that they would experience “some challenges” during their initial talks.
Talking to reporters, including the Times, earlier this week, Iraola offered up the admission as he reflected on the step up at Liverpool and his need to prove himself.
“I trust myself a lot, and I’m ready for the challenge that I know is very big,” he said. “When I came here, the owners told me everything is not perfect.
“They said we would have some challenges, we would have to replace important players leaving, we have some injuries, but we are here to solve these kinds of problems and to try to maximise what we have.”
Liverpool lost Mo Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate at the end of last season, and are still waiting on Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike to return from injury.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 7, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez (L) and Dominik Szoboszlai during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Only Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet have been signed so far, leaving plenty of work for Richard Hughes and Co. before the window closes at the start of September.
To that end, Michael Edwards has left his post as FSG’s CEO of football and Hughes is reportedly set to leave his post as sporting director and move to Saudi Arabia at the end of the summer.
Thus, it is an honest admission from the club’s hierarchy that all is not perfect, but one that reflects the current needs and shortcomings that Iraola will have to juggle.
And while his start at Liverpool is not as ideal as it could be with the late arrivals from the World Cup and a squad in transition, he is embracing the challenge and focusing on solutions, not excuses.
“It’s like, I need to prove myself and get everyone to know that I belong here,” he added. “That I have the level to coach Liverpool. That’s my challenge in the short term.
“Once you’ve gone through this process, and everyone understands that you belong there, everything gets easier — from the players, the supporters, the media, the opposition.”
Liverpool remain interested in PSG’s Bradley Barcola as they seek to sign a new winger, while Joao Gomes, Gilberto Mora and Ayyoub Bouaddi have been tentatively linked for the midfield.