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Andoni Iraola## Andoni Iraola has taken charge of Liverpool and the new Reds boss has a clear message for his senior players regarding the club's new signings and young players
20:08, 27 Jul 2026
Andoni Iraola is expecting more Liverpool transfers this summer
Andoni Iraola is expecting more Liverpool transfers this summer(Image: Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos, ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola is urging his Liverpool players to demonstrate strong characters in order to support the club's new signings and younger squad members. The new Reds' manager isn't demanding flawless performances from his side but is calling for honesty and determination to forge a connection with the Anfield faithful and establish solid relationships between established and incoming players.
Iraola has yet to witness a significant influx of new arrivals at Merseyside, with Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz representing the incoming transfers. The former Bournemouth manager has assumed control with seasoned figures such as Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah having moved on.
Last campaign saw Arne Slot bring in a substantial number of fresh faces, including Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Alexander Isak. New arrivals found themselves unable to avoid dips in performance and fitness problems as the Reds failed to match the standards of 2024/25.
Iraola is looking to his senior professionals to help prevent a recurrence of those difficulties. The Spanish coach has urged his squad to display some openness to guarantee backing from the terraces.
"I feel that, having been here a lot, the people are very respectful with us," Iraola explained. "They are very passionate. They need to feel and identify with what they see.", reports the Liverpool Echo.
"Sometimes we need to show our weakness because sometimes we live in our bubble and protect ourselves a little bit. We pretend to show that we don't care about what people say.
"Honestly, everyone cares, even big players that we think they don't care. They care inside. You protect yourself sometimes, 'no I don't care because I am so big.' Honestly, big players are not thinking this way, but sometimes it looks like they are.
Andoni Iraola in a press conference
Andoni Iraola wants big personalities(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"Sometimes we need to see their weaknesses. They are not perfect. They will make mistakes. Show to the players that are not at the top level, the youngsters, the new signings, the support from the big personalities that we have.
"There has to be a process where we understand that it isn't going to be perfect, we are going to go through ups and downs, but if we do it together and everyone assumes we have strengths, we have weaknesses, but the aim of everyone is to arrive there.
"I think we will have the people behind us, I'm sure."
Liverpool continue to pursue transfer targets to bolster Iraola's squad depth. The Reds manager has acknowledged that securing a wide player remains his top priority.
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Bradley Barcola now heads that list of targets following the club's decision to end their pursuit of Yan Diomande.
Andoni Iraola
Liverpool FC