Andoni Iraola faces a big job as he prepares to lead Liverpool into the new season, and club legend Ian Rush has sent a clear message to the Reds' owners about the new head coach
Ian Rush has called for patience from Liverpool with Andoni Iraola
Ian Rush has called for patience from Liverpool with Andoni Iraola(Image: 2024 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
Liverpool legend Ian Rush has called for Andoni Iraola to be given time to succeed as he prepares for his first season in charge at Anfield.
The Spaniard was appointed as Arne Slot’s successor back in June, with the Dutchman having paid the price for a poor second season in charge following the Premier League title triumph in his first campaign.
The pressure will be on for Iraola to not only deliver better performances — with Slot’s Liverpool having been booed on a number of occasions at Anfield during his final campaign — but also improve on last season’s fifth-placed finish, which saw the Reds scrape into the Champions League.
Nevertheless, Rush feels the new Liverpool boss must target winning a trophy in his first year in charge, but has also called for patience from the club’s owners.
"I think the first four or five games, that's going to be important," Rush said at the unveiling of a new exhibition — 'All You Need Is Rush' — celebrating his achievements at Anfield. "If you start well, that will give everyone the confidence to go on and be more successful."
Asked what would make a successful first season for Iraola at Liverpool, Rush responded: "I've been asked every year for 30 years, and I say to win the league. That's the standard at Liverpool.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2: Liverpool FC Head Coach Andoni Iraola concentrates after the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola was appointed by Liverpool earlier in the summer(Image: Michael Miller/ISI Photos, ISI Photos via Getty Images)
"But no, he's got to be given time. If you win a trophy, that would be great. But he needs to be given time, and I'm sure he'll deliver the goods."
Although the new season is now just over a couple of weeks away, Iraola’s call for more signings to be made has not yet been heeded.
Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz remain the only new additions to have been made to the squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Neither has yet played any minutes for the Reds, with the former’s absence from training sparking concerns over the lack of options in defense.
Meanwhile, a replacement for Mohamed Salah has still not been secured, with Bradley Barcola still being worked on from Paris Saint-Germain, but Rush isn’t getting worries just yet.
Content Image
Content Image
"We'd all like to make one or two more signings, but there's a time and a place with everything," he explained. "We've got people coming back from injury. If we can get them back, it might be okay. There's still a few weeks to go, so let's see what happens."
Liverpool.com says: We admire Rushy’s confidence, but Liverpool needs to get a move on in the transfer window.
The squad just doesn’t look ready for the new season right now, and while a new winger is the priority, one or two new defenders are also an absolute must, or else Iraola’s job is going to be made a lot harder.