Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has warned that new head coach Andoni Iraola has a big job on his hands reviving the Reds’ fortunes.
The Spaniard has been tasked with improving on Arne Slot’s poor second season in charge, but Gerrard says Iraola needs a better squad if he is going to be successful at Anfield:
“I’m happy with it [the change in the dugout], but I also know the challenge that’s in front of him. I think Liverpool were miles off last season; if we’re really honest, they were miles off.”
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“The squad needs some surgery; it needs to address some imbalances. We need to get some players back fit and firing, and big players in big form.”
“So I think there’s a lot of work to do for Liverpool, but in terms of the excitement and the buzz and the restart under a new manager, I’m there, and I’m all with them for sure.”
Liverpool’s squad is very thin
Gerrard is bang on with his analysis regarding the challenges that Iraola faces. The Reds will be setting the 44-year-old up to fail if they don’t add depth in several key positions before the transfer window shuts.
Iraola’s intense style of play puts a lot of pressure on the body, and there is already an expectation that there will be more injuries this season.
On top of that, the new manager will have to manage a squad that will be playing every few days, rather than once a week like he was used to at Bournemouth.
At the moment, the current squad is wafer-thin, and without reinforcements, the Merseysiders could face major selection headaches early on in the campaign.
Will Iraola be backed?
It does seem as if sporting director Richard Hughes wants (at least) three new additions before September 1st. Two forwards and a centre-back/right-back.
Whether that will be enough to satisfy Iraola, though, seems doubtful, and it may well be the case that the Reds will have to delve into the transfer market come the New Year as well.
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