Prior to Andoni Iraola’s appointment at Liverpool, he made a name for himself at Bournemouth - subsequently taking the Cherries from a mid-table outfit to European qualifiers.
Eli Kroupi Junior was a huge part of his success on the South Coast, subsequently arriving from Lorient for a reported £10m fee in January 2025, before returning back on loan for the rest of 2024/25.
Last season was a huge breakout for the 20-year-old attacker, as he featured 33 times in the Premier League and netted 13 times - the most in a debut campaign for a teenager.
Bournemouth-Junior-Kroupi
As a result, he’s been touted with £100m moves to join the likes of Tottenham Hotspur - but the Reds are not thought to be lining up a reunion between the forward and the manager.
Iraola will now have to start hunting for his next version of Kroupi at Anfield, and he could find it in a number of potential options.
How Iraola can find his next Kroupi at Liverpool
Undoubtedly, delving into the transfer window would be an easy option for Liverpool this summer, but there’s no denying the club already have a whole host of talented players on the books.
Hugo Ekitiké is the immediate option who jumps to mind as a result of his nationality and his impressive goal tally from his debut campaign on Merseyside last time around.
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike
The 24-year-old is already a more-established attacking talent in Europe and will no doubt have a huge future ahead of him during the Spaniard’s tenure at the helm.
However, his achilles will see him sidelined for the first six months of the new manager’s tenure, but he has travelled to the USA for the pre-season tour to gain knowledge of what’s expected in his system.
Hugo Ekitiké's Liverpool record so far
Statistics
Games played
Goals scored
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Minutes played
Yellow cards
Red cards
Rio Ngumoha is another player who could emulate Kroupi’s success at Anfield, with the teenager possessing a huge amount of potential which still needs fulfilling - just like the Bournemouth attacker.
The 17-year-old made 19 appearances in the Premier League last campaign, but no doubt will have a bigger role to play under the Spaniard in 2026/27.
Iraola has experience of taking youngsters’ careers to the next level - as he did with Kroupi last term - and the teenage winger will no doubt be hoping he can benefit from the manager’s skillset.
How Liverpool could sign Iraola’s next Kroupi this summer
The transfer market being open will present an opportunity for the new manager to make his own mark on the squad and improve the ranks in various key areas.
The attacking department will no doubt be a priority for the Spaniard, who even stated during his recent press conference that he desperately needs a new winger this summer.
AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola looks on before the match
Efforts to land Yan Diomande have fallen flat on their face, which has seen the hierarchy turn their attention to Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche in recent days.
It’s been reported by Sky Sports that the Reds have reached out to the Ligue 1 outfit to gain more information on a deal and register their interest in the 24-year-old.
They also claim that PSG have made the attacker their primary target this summer, with the player’s asking price currently set around the €40m (£34m) mark.
The right-winger may not be known to many Reds supporters, but he’s a player who could add a huge deal to the club’s attack should a deal be agreed this summer.
He would emulate Kroupi in moving to the Premier League from a team in his homeland - with Akliouche’s stats from last season showcasing why he can match his compatriot’s success under Iraola.
In Ligue 1 last term, the Frenchman managed to complete 85% of the passes he attempted, whilst also registering an impressive tally of 1.8 chances created per 90.
AS Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche
Both of the aforementioned tallies rank him in the top 20% of attackers in Europe’s top-five leagues and highlight his tremendous ability with the ball at his feet.
He also managed to complete 57% of the dribbles he attempted in France’s top-division, which could see him emulate Kroupi in gliding past the opposition upon any move to the Premier League.
Akliouche’s tally of 12 combined goals and assists in Ligue 1 last term highlights his talent of putting an end product to his mazy runs - backing up Denis Zakaria’s claim that he’s “phenomenal.”
Whilst he’s already four years older than the current Cherries star, the similarities of moving to England’s top-flight from France is an easy one to make - with the Reds faithful hoping he can match his talent levels.
akliouche
£34m would be an excellent deal for a player who’s already amassed key experience in one of Europe’s top-five leagues and starred in the Champions League.
If he can work closely with Iraola and emulate the levels produced by Kroupi on the South Coast - there’s no reason why Akliouche can’t fire the club to Premier League glory next term.
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