Florida-based Liverpool fan Morgan O'Sullivan gives us his take on all things Andoni Iraola, Bradley Barcola and transfers as the new Premier League season edges ever closer
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola will chase silverware this season
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola will chase silverware this season(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Liverpool only has next weekend's double-header against Como remaining before the new Premier League season begins, with Andoni Iraola and his players continuing work on the training field.
Behind the scenes, transfer activity is ongoing too, but the clock is ticking. We checked in with regular contributor Morgan O'Sullivan in Florida to get his take on the summer so far.
What have you made of the early weeks of Andoni Iraola's tenure?
"The press is back. Youth will receive more of a chance and we will be there or there about come May. The manager has brought a sense of calm to the club, and there is a sense of the unexpected among the fans. I suspect it is going to be a season to remember."
What else does Liverpool need in the transfer market before the September 1 deadline?
"I think Ibrahim Mbaye and Barcola Barcola could be confirmed this week. I also expect Cody Gapko to move to Spurs, and after that, I suspect we will see either Alexis Mac Allister or Curtis Jones move on. If Jones does move on, I think we will replace him with Trey Nyoni. If Mac Allister moves on, I have long thought we will move for Adam Wharton. It is not inconceivable that all three will leave."
What are your expectations for the 2026/27 season?
"You don't become a bad team overnight. This time last year we were the reigning champions and we added Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike and Frimpong. Rio Ngumoha was coming along also. People were purring about how we were going to rule Europe. The way we won our first few games in the league prompted people to think, how great we will be when everything clicks. The tragic circumstances of Diogo Jota's death impacted all, yet the club handled it in the most appropriate way. Yet, on the football side of things, everything ultimately went wrong. The midfield went from one of the top pressing teams to one of the lowest.
Iraola during the friendly against Monaco
Iraola during the friendly against Monaco(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"So what can we expect? Whisper it, gently and quietly for now. But this could truly be our year. While we have a number of injuries currently in defense, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni will be back in a matter of weeks. Ronald Araujo will bring experience and provide both central and full-back coverage. Should the club complete the signings of Barcola and Mbaye, we will have completely rebuilt our attack into a pressing machine, akin to the years of Salah, Mane and Firmino. With Wirtz, Munoz, Mbaye, Barcola, Ngumoha and Isak, we will have plenty of firepower, even before Ekitike returns.
"The press will return and this will help in the midfield. This in turn will help the defense. Our midfield right now is a title-winning midfield from two years ago. With a reinvigorated attack, an emphasis placed on the press as opposed to possession, I think people will be surprised by us this year. The warm days of summer brought the rumblings of thunder, but as this season progresses, the only thunder others will hear is the rumbling of Liverpool on their way back. We are Liverpool. Remember, we said it first: this year is our year.
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"Arsenal have made a couple of additions, but the likelihood of a clampdown on their corner kick and free kick routine should see them held back this season. Man City is an unknown with the departure of Pep Guardiola. Chelsea has some great players, but struggles for any kind of consistency, on and off the field. Manchester United played one game every week last season and they will get back to normal this year."
Has Mohamed Salah made the right move by choosing Trabzonspor?
"No one could have seen Mohamed Salah move to Trabzonspor. Most fans would have expected a European giant to step in, yet it never happened. Alternatively, he could have gone to Saudi Arabia or the Middle East. Maybe, just maybe, he did not get the offer that he wanted or expected. It was disappointing to see how his last year went at the club, but we can only wish him the very best and hope he has made the best decision for himself and his family. After all, after leaving Liverpool, every other club was going to be a step down, and maybe deep down, that is how he saw things also."