Andoni Iraola will take charge of Liverpool for the first time at Anfield as the Reds take on Monaco in preseason, and the Spaniard has addressed the club's supporters ahead of the game
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is aiming to be successful on Merseyside
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is aiming to be successful on Merseyside(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has addressed Liverpool’s fans ahead of his first home game in charge of the club, with the new head coach ready for what will be a “very proud day” for him.
Iraola will lead his side out at Anfield for the first time this summer, with the Reds facing Monaco in their latest preseason encounter. With just two weeks to go until the start of the Premier League season, it’s time for Liverpool’s boss to start looking at what will be his strongest team for the new campaign.
He has almost his entire squad back at work now, with Alexis Mac Allister the last to arrive on Monday after new signing Victor Munoz made his first appearance in training this week.
Iraola will have to contend with something of an injury crisis already in defense, with Joe Gomez unavailable and set to miss the opening game at Newcastle later this month after limping off just 10 minutes into the first preseason game against Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Jacquet’s absence following his shoulder injury is turning into an increasing worry for supporters, while Giovanni Leoni is still working his way back from his ACL injury.
Ronald Araujo is on his way from Barcelona to ease some of the concerns at the back, with the 27-year-old set for a medical on Merseyside on Sunday, although he won’t be able to play a part against Monaco.
Andoni Iraola was unveiled as Liverpool's head coach earlier this summer
Andoni Iraola was unveiled as Liverpool's head coach earlier this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Sunday's game will mark the start of a new era at Anfield as Iraola oversees his first home game after taking over from Arne Slot earlier this summer. Liverpool’s supporters weren’t left too pleased with what they saw from their side last season, and the new head coach is eager to make the right first impression.
“Sunday is, of course, going to be a very proud day for my staff, and for me, as we take charge of our first home game,” Iraola said in his program notes for Sunday’s game.
“I have experienced Anfield before from the other side, and that was pretty special (even if the results didn’t go the way I would have liked!), but I know that it will be a completely different feeling as the head coach of Liverpool, and that is something I am really excited for.
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“I spoke when I first arrived at the club about emotion, about the connection between the players, the staff and the supporters. That is extremely important and will be even more so going forward.
“We want to give you guys a team you can really identify with and be proud of, and we will be doing everything we can, every day, to make that happen.
“Sunday, therefore, is an important step on that journey. It is a journey I want us to all enjoy together, and which I hope and believe will lead to success and to many happy and memorable moments in the future.”
Including Sunday's game against Monaco, Iraola has just three games left to take a closer look at his side before the real business begins against Newcastle on August 23. Italian side Como will visit Anfield next weekend (August 16) for a double-header, with the first game set to be played behind closed doors.