Andoni Iraola is gearing up for his first competitive game as Liverpool head coach, with more work to be done before the trip to Newcastle that comes in two weeks
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during the friendly against Monaco.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during the friendly against Monaco(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has been told that he doesn't need to win a trophy this season — but he does need to ensure that Liverpool qualifies for the Champions League as a minimum.
Former Reds man Didi Hamann believes that the pressure to win will only come later for Iraola, who arrives from south coast outfit Bournemouth having never managed a team in Europe before.
As things stand, the Liverpool roster is lacking depth, but work is ongoing behind the scenes to ensure that more quality arrives, but Hamann says winning silverware at the first time of asking might be a push.
"I don't think he has to win a trophy because I think it's similar to Arne Slot," Hamann told Flashscore.
"Slot came in two years ago. I think I said if he finishes in the top four, I think he's had a successful season, or he did well, and nobody could foresee that he was going to win the league.
"Obviously, it all came crashing down the season after, but when they finished fifth last season, they only got into the Champions League because of that new rule that there's a fifth place for the UK's, or the Premier League's, coefficient in Europe.
Iraola will be determined to succeed at Liverpool
Iraola will be determined to succeed at Liverpool(Image: Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"So I think if Iraola finishes in the top four and qualifies automatically for the Champions League, he's had a good season.
"Does he have to win a trophy? No, I don't think so. I think he just has to steady the ship, get some performances, and make it obvious that there's some progress, which wasn't the case last season.
"My advice? Enjoy it. Obviously, he will find out very quickly that Liverpool is a massive club. If he hasn't realized it by now, enjoy it.
"It's a huge responsibility to be Liverpool manager. Enjoy it and hopefully take the fans on a brilliant ride in the Premier League and, you know, hopefully in the Champions League as well."
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Liverpool has just one day of friendlies left before the new season begins. It takes on Cesc Fabregas' Como twice next weekend at Anfield, with both fixtures on Sunday.
The Reds then travel to St. James' Park to face Newcastle on the opening weekend of the new Premier League campaign. Iraola's first competitive match at Anfield is the visit of Nottingham Forest that follows.
Liverpool.com says: Winning a trophy is not necessarily a must, but Iraola will need to show that his side is capable of challenging, if not for the league title, then certainly for one of the other pieces of silverware on offer. The longer it takes for him to get off the mark, the more the questions around his lack of previous experience will come to the fore.