NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola (R) speaks to Kieran Morrison during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola (R) speaks to Kieran Morrison during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool youngster Kieran Morrison has spoken highly of Andoni Iraola, even if the intensity in training sessions leaves him with dead legs early in the evening!
Morrison, 19, was captain and the leading goalscorer for the club’s under-21s in a notable season of growth for the teenager across the 2025/26 campaign.
The right winger was handed his senior debut under Arne Slot and made a total of two first-team appearances, and has now been given an opportunity under new coach Iraola.
The teenager travelled to the US and scored the opening goal in the Reds’ first pre-season friendly, and after his 67-minute outing, he spoke of how the lift in intensity has been noticed by everyone.
“It’s been so intense compared to previous seasons,” Morrison said of his time in the US so far in the post-match mixed zone.
“I’ve not been really around it – but from what everyone’s telling me as well and what I’ve seen, it’s been so intense.
“There’s been double sessions, my legs have been finished by like 9pm! So, the intensity, what Andoni’s brought is very high.”
It was what Iraola was brought in to oversee after a notable drop in intensity last season, and there were plenty eagerly awaiting the verdict from players in the early stages of pre-season.
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's goalscorer Kieran Morrison during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's goalscorer Kieran Morrison during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That Morrison has been informed of the increased demands by his teammates speaks volumes to the changes already underway, which were also felt and noticed by Sunderland.
“They’re very aggressive in the press, they play very vertically, and they go straight for goal, which is a little bit different to Slot’s team,” Sunderland defender Dan Ballard revealed.
Kieran Morrison: Adoni Iraola spending equal time with senior and academy players
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Kieran Morrison celebrates after scoring the first goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Kieran Morrison celebrates after scoring the first goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Moreover, the enthusiasm Iraola displayed for working with the club’s young talent this summer in the absence of several first-team players has been felt by Morrison.
The 19-year-old enthused that the head coach has shown as much dedication to helping him learn and develop as he has Dominik Szoboszlai.
“It’s not like a difference between him telling Dom [Szoboszlai] what to do, and him telling me what to do,” Morrison explained.
“He gives the same amount of effort. I ask him a question and he explains it to me for like 20 minutes. He’s great like that; he’s a top-man manager.”
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
His goal in Nashville was taken with confidence, and when speaking to Liverpool’s official website after the 4-2 win, Morrison enthused further about Iraola’s teaching and playing style.
“It’s like a new philosophy this past week,” Morrison said. “Whatever he’s been doing at Bournemouth, it’s obviously worked. He’s one of the best managers in the league.
“He’s come here and he’s taught me varied and different playing styles. He’s telling me things I’ve never heard of before. It’s a credit to Andoni.”
Bradley BARCOLA of PSG during the French Cup, round of 32 football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Paris FC on 12 January 2026 at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France – Photo Matthieu Mirville / DPPI
Bradley BARCOLA of PSG during the French Cup, round of 32 football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Paris FC on 12 January 2026 at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France – Photo Matthieu Mirville / DPPI
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NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola (L) and first team coach Tommy Elphick applauds the supporters after a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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2 collage diagonal (5)