John Barnes has insisted Liverpool must back Andoni Iraola beyond this season if he does end up finishing the 2026/27 Premier League campaign in the same position as Arne Slot did last term
John Barnes wants Liverpool to stick by Andoni Iraola if he finishes in the same position Arne Slot did last term
John Barnes wants Liverpool to stick by Andoni Iraola if he finishes in the same position Arne Slot did last term(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth, AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Liverpool legend John Barnes believes the Reds should stick by Andoni Iraola beyond this season, even if he does end up finishing in the same position as Arne Slot did last term.
Having guided Liverpool to the Premier League title during the 2024/25 season, Slot's time in charge of the Reds came to an end last term following a turbulent season on Merseyside in which the club finished fifth, 25 points behind title winners Arsenal. In opting to move on from Slot, the Reds appointed Iraola, who departed Bournemouth at the end of last season as well.
The Spaniard guided the Cherries to their best ever Premier League campaign, with Bournemouth finishing sixth last season, just three points behind Liverpool.
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While there is excitement surrounding Iraola's first season in charge of the Reds, which gets underway on Sunday at St. James' Park against Newcastle, last season's struggles have tempered expectations somewhat.
Additionally, there has been plenty of frustration among Liverpool fans this summer over the Reds' lack of signings. So far, Liverpool has brought in winger Victor Munoz, as well as two defenders in Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona and Jeremy Jacquet.
The Reds continue to chase Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola and have had two bids for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh rejected.
Iraola has replaced Slot on Merseyside
Iraola has replaced Slot on Merseyside(Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
Just what constitutes a successful season for Liverpool this year remains unclear, though Champions League qualification is a must, given last term's fifth-place finish, which is now usually enough to qualify for Europe's elite club competition.
In the eyes of Barnes, he believes that Liverpool will finish inside the top four this season.
However, if Iraola finishes fifth during his inaugural season in charge at Anfield, he must be given the time in the job that was not afforded to Slot.
"I think they'll be in the top four," said Barnes, via OLBG.
"Arsenal are the favourites for me, with probably Man City, although they're going through a bit of a period now, of course, because Pep's gone. But I would say Liverpool second or third. Fourth for me would be fine."
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"He'll have to be in the job even if we finish outside the top four, which I don't think we will. They should back him. Because if not, who are you going to bring in, and then what happens if he doesn't finish in it either? You have to make a stand, which they possibly should have done with Arne Slot, but they didn't."
Liverpool opens the season away at Newcastle on Sunday, with the game marked by a huge tribute to the late Kevin Keegan, an icon of both clubs.
The Reds then return to Anfield the following weekend to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday, August 29.