Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have both linked up with their Liverpool teammates out in the US, with a big season ahead for the pair as Andoni Iraola gets to work with his stars
15:36, 27 Jul 2026
Andoni Iraola speaks during an interview with The Anfield Wrap
Andoni Iraola has given his first impressions of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz(Image: The Anfield Wrap)
Andoni Iraola has lifted the lid on his first impressions of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, with Liverpool’s record signings having now joined up with the rest of their teammates on tour.
Isak and Wirtz have made their way to the US to link up with the Reds in Chicago after their involvement in this summer’s World Cup. The pair took part in their first training session of the summer on Sunday along with Ryan Gravenberch, and will be in line to play a part against Wrexham in a couple of days’ time.
A big season lies ahead for both players, having not had the most ideal first year at Anfield.
Having both been signed for record-breaking fees last summer, neither player went on to make the impact that had been expected after impressing at Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.
Isak’s first season with the Reds after a long transfer saga was wrecked by injuries, leading to him making just 22 appearances while only scoring four goals. Wirtz, meanwhile, struggled to find his feet in the Premier League, with former Liverpool boss Arne Slot having seemingly been unable to settle on his best position.
The pair will hope that a change in management will lead to a change in fortunes for them though, with Iraola looking forward to getting down to work with them.
Paris, France - April 8: Florian Wirtz of Liverpool FC, Alexander Isak of Liverpool FC and Milos Kerkez of Liverpool FC look dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at Parc des Princes on April 8, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak endured a difficult first year at Liverpool(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
"Yes I am excited [to work with them] and I also feel you are talking about Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz as two players who have already been here for one year and the first impressions when I have talked to them is also that they want to have a good season," Iraola told the Anfield Wrap.
"They want to start well, they were asking a lot of the right questions. They care about winning, they care about a lot things. They are good players and I am looking forward to working with them.
"I've watched them from the outside a lot. I know them a lot, especially Alex, I played against him in Spain also a lot and I am sure they are very good players and I hope we can give them the platform to maximise their potential."
Having made a winning start to his time in charge against Sunderland, Iraola will now be aiming to implement his style onto more of his players as the summer goes on, with Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Alisson Becker set to link up with their teammates back on Merseyside, while Alexis Mac Allister and new signing Victor Munoz will follow in due course after being involved in the World Cup final.
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“I think we need a collective idea in terms of some organisation, some structure, some clear things so that you can express yourself as a football player,” Iraola added.
“I think this is a collective sport, and everything has to be like we have to have a system that gives us a floor, let's say. Like even if we don't play incredibly well, we are not having our best day as football players.
“There is a system behind us; there is a collective that will give us a high floor. I always say, let's raise our floor. And then when we are playing amazingly, and we are having the day, it looks incredible.
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“But I think the coaching side is like, OK, let's put the structure there, the organisation there. And after, you have to trust your players. In this case, for me, it's easy because I have very good players."