Liverpool’s preparations for the new season are well underway, with excitement continuing to build around the club’s new era under Andoni Iraola.
The Spaniard has inherited a squad full of quality and ambition, with several key figures already expressing their belief in the direction the Reds are heading.
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After guiding Bournemouth to their best-ever finish last campaign, Iraola arrives at Anfield with a glowing reputation as one of Europe’s brightest coaches.
Liverpool will be hoping that his impressive showing on the south coast can translate into silverware on Merseyside.
The early signs suggest the Liverpool dressing room is equally encouraged, with optimism growing ahead of what promises to be a fascinating season.
One player whose backing of Iraola is abundantly clear is Dominik Szoboszlai.
Szoboszlai is coming off his best season at Liverpool, as he delivered his highest individual output for the Reds during the past campaign, tallying 13 goals and 12 assists from 53 matches.
He was duly selected by supporters as the men’s team’s Standard Chartered Player of the Season.
The Hungarian midfielder, who only yesterday committed his long-term future to Liverpool by signing a new contract extension, has wasted little time in sharing his admiration for the Reds’ new head coach.
The fresh deal underlines the club’s faith in the 25-year-old, who has become an increasingly important figure for the team since arriving from RB Leipzig.
Speaking to the club’s official media channels, Szoboszlai explained exactly why he is excited to work under Iraola.
“I think he showed it in Bournemouth that [he is] an unbelievable coach. He always competed with us with the most fit team in the Premier League.”
“With the intensity, how he wants to play and the knowledge that he has, I think he’s an unbelievable coach. I’m looking forward to playing under him.”
Szoboszlai’s comments are unlikely to surprise those who followed Bournemouth’s rise under Iraola.
The Cherries became renowned for their energy, aggressive pressing and fearless style of football, characteristics that Liverpool will hope are on display at Anfield this season.
With his own future now secured and confidence in the new manager already evident, Szoboszlai appears ready to play a leading role as Liverpool embark on what they hope will be another successful chapter under their new head coach.