Liverpool changed head coach at the end of the season, bringing Andoni Iraola in from Bournemouth to replace Arne Slot and implement a more intense style of play
18:15, 26 Jul 2026
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola was only appointed as the new head coach of Liverpool 51 days ago, but the summer is so short — and the World Cup such a big part of it — that he is almost two-thirds of the way from that point to the beginning of the new campaign.
Arriving from Bournemouth, meaning he already knows the Premier League, will be a big help. The fact remains, though, that he has so far only overseen one friendly fixture, with the opening weekend clash at Newcastle fast approaching.
Fortunately, it seems that the Liverpool players who have already been with the team are learning plenty about his ideas in training. This week, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch will join the rest of the group.
"It’s been so intense compared to previous seasons," 19-year-old Kieran Morrison, who scored the first goal of the Iraola era, is quoted as saying by This Is Anfield.
"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's like a new philosophy this past week," Morrison had also told LFCTV. "Whatever he's been doing at Bournemouth, it's obviously worked.
Andoni Iraola during a Liverpool training session in Chicago, Illinois
Andoni Iraola during a Liverpool training session in Chicago, Illinois(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"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."
Fellow youngster Lewis Koumas spoke along similar lines. "He has a really aggressive style and he loves to press," the Wales international said.
"I think I can do that well and I think I can do it for him. So, hopefully it catches the eye.
"There was no sort of ‘well done’ [from Iraola post-match after his goal], it was just talking about how I can get better at pressing.
"There was a time where I wanted to jump straight through but it would have affected the way we want to press, so he just tried to give me more information straight away.
"I think it’s going to help my development and help me become a better player, so ultimately it’s better."
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Kostas Tsimikas, speaking a few days ago, was in agreement as well. Back from his loan with AS Roma, the Greek, who captained the side for a spell against Sunderland, is hoping to make an impression as he enters the final year of his contract.
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"It has been tough, as always," Tsimikas said. "I’m really glad I’m back. We are so happy, we trained really hard. Thank God, we have no injuries in the first week. Everything goes really well, as we expect, with the new manager, new ideas, and we’re very happy."
Asked specifically about the key things that Iraola is trying to get across, Tsimikas added: "We did some throw-ins, some build-ups and all these kinds of things; he likes the intensity in the training and everything is with the ball.
"I think he wants us to keep the ball, don’t lose the ball, and try to play good football. As I say, it’s very early, it is new for us, but I think all the players try to give absolutely everything to try to understand what exactly he wants and to do the right things inside the pitch."