NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola on the pitch before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola on the pitch before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andoni Iraola thinks that Liverpool are being underestimated ahead of the new season, saying he is “very confident” in the players at his disposal.
While Liverpool do have some excellent players in their ranks, most aren’t expecting them to compete for the Premier League title due to a lack of squad depth.
Iraola, however, has said he thinks people are underestimating his side, but still made sure to add that there is “more time to add players.”
Speaking to reporters including the Liverpool Echo‘s Paul Gorst, the manager suggested that the team is being undervalued:
“Yes, I can feel a little bit [that people underestimate us] because of the questions you ask me. We have to value the good players we have.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet celebrates with team-mates after scoring the second goal on his debut during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet celebrates with team-mates after scoring the second goal on his debut during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Sometimes the players are here for three or four seasons and we are not aware how good some of our players are. I know this is the situation.
“The market is not closed. Still we have more time to add players.
“Probably we have the advantage that I am not new and I value a lot of the players I have here. I can tell you that I am very confident in terms of the quality of the players I have.”
Long-term injuries are “a tricky situation”
A total of 36 players got on the pitch during Liverpool’s pre-season friendlies, as they beat Sunderland, Wrexham and Como but lost to Leeds and Monaco.
Liverpool have signed Ronald Araujo on loan, Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet, while Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, Mo Salah and Ibrahima Konate have left.
Iraola thinks that part of the reason for the Reds’ chances being downplayed is the series of long-term absences still blighting the squad.
“Probably, a little bit of this negativity is about the fact we have a tricky situation with long-term injuries,” the coach said.
“We have four very good players who had big surgeries (Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, Hugo Ekitike) that are very good players.
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“If they are available, it puts you and your squad in a much better place.
“We have to go through this period until they are fully fit. We knew it from the beginning and I hope we can deal with this time.”
Andoni Iraola believes Liverpool can “be very competitive” from the start
No Liverpool supporter is under the illusion that the team is strong enough to compete for all four major trophies this season.
However, the squad is better than the 60 points it managed last term and we should see some improvement.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Iraola, who hasn’t lost a Premier League match since January 3, added: “I want to think we are in a place where, although we are not 100 percent, but we can still start well.
“I think we are at a level where we can be very competitive from the beginning. Definitely we have to improve, but even if we win the first game, we will need to improve.
“You are right that it took some time in Bournemouth to get everything clicking but I hope it takes less time.
“Even if not 100 percent, we can be competitive and get results before.”
Iraola was referring to the start of his tenure at Bournemouth, which could be characterised as inconsistent.
He lost his first three games in charge back in 2023, but eventually got his team playing exciting, attacking football that led to progressively better finishes of 12th, ninth and sixth in the table.
The new coach won’t be afforded the luxury of an average first campaign, but there will be leeway if there are signs of improvement.
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Leeds United FC
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Leeds United FC
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Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v Como 1907
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)