The new Premier League season is now almost upon us but what should realistically be expected of Andoni Iraola's Liverpool?
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View Image
It's almost here, folks. On Friday night, newly-promoted Coventry City will kick off the new Premier League campaign with a trip to Arsenal. Liverpool, of course, have to wait a couple of days for the Andoni Iraola era to begin in earnest with the Reds making the long trip up to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
With limited transfer business up until now - the deadline is less than two weeks away - and having finished a disappointing fifth last season, expectations are somewhat dampened among the Anfield fanbase.
But what should constitute a good season for Liverpool? Our ECHO writers take a look...
READ MORE: Eleven players could miss Newcastle United vs Liverpool as injury update imminent
Ian Doyle
If supporters thought last season was one of transition for Liverpool, they should be braced for even more inconsistency this time around.
Well, at least during the opening weeks of the campaign as Andoni Iraola's methods could take time to take hold. On top of that, Iraola himself will be learning on the job about being in charge of such a high-profile team while juggling the demands of usually playing twice a week - not an issue he had at his previous clubs as a head coach.
That's going to require a bigger squad. And with no reinforcements at present incoming - certainly not to the extent needed - then there has to be a sense of realism about Liverpool this season as they clearly plan for a more prosperous future given the age of so many players recruited in recent times.
It should be easier on the eye than Arne Slot's tortuous second campaign in charge, and probably won't have as many disappointing defeats, but few expect Liverpool to seriously challenge for the Premier League title. Arsenal should walk that in a one-sided affair, with Manchester City and Chelsea their nearest rivals.
Liverpool, then, are battling for fourth place along with Manchester United, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, with there this time absolutely no guarantee fifth will secure a Champions League berth given the English teams in the Europa and Conference Leagues.
If the Reds finish inside the top four it would represent a fine achievement in Iraola's first season in charge. Fifth, though, would perhaps be par once again. Progress to the Champions League knockout stages would be a good effort, but the lack of squad depth means a deep run in the League Cup and FA Cup seems at present unlikely.
It shows the importance of making more signings between now and the deadline day, and the speed at which Liverpool adapt to Iraola's approach and vice-versa.
Buckle up, folks. It may be a bumpy if interesting ride ahead.
Richard Garnett
Determining how to measure what would be a successful season for Liverpool this time around very much comes down to one’s own expectations as a supporter, but there is one cold way of looking at it that is very much on-trend with the modern football world - how do they come out of it with more money?
The answer to that, of course, is by having a deep run in the Champions League and qualifying for it again for the following season. However, that is exactly what Arne Slot did, by hook or crook, but it wasn’t enough to save his job.
Nevertheless, a repeat of the Dutchman’s second season achievements is pretty much the minimum requirement for Andoni Iraola, who has the added goal of providing a brand of football that doesn’t bore the assembled congregation.
We are about to find out whether his high-intensity attacking brand of football works when most of your opponents are enthusiastic about parking the bus every week.
A proper title challenge, though, would be very surprising. Liverpool need more players in the building to give them the depth to compete on all four fronts and that is hugely important, because no-one wants to go to another midweek 3-0 hiding off Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.
The new manager must be given time to implement his own ideas and build a squad in his own image, so many fans would happily sacrifice trophies this time around in favour of the development of a side that can go on to much greater things in the future.
Article continues below
Hopefully the Reds will soon get some more players in, but regardless of how that pans out, two key things will determine the trajectory of this season. The first is a solid defensive unit, and the other is Iraola’s ability to get the best out of record signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. Do that and the other bits will start to look a lot easier.