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)
After just under six weeks of pre-season under Andoni Iraola, the Liverpool squad are reportedly “struck” by the difference between him and predecessor Arne Slot.
Iraola takes charge of his first competitive game as Liverpool head coach on Sunday with the Premier League opener away to Newcastle.
He will hope it shows the progress made throughout pre-season, which began on July 14 and took in six friendlies – including a double-header against Como last weekend.
The word ‘intensity’ has marked Iraola’s approach so far and The Athletic‘s James Pearce reports how the squad have seen a major difference in how he approaches training.
“Sources say players have been struck by how few meetings they have been called into compared to Arne Slot‘s reign,” Pearce writes.
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)
“The meetings they have tend to be more concise than during the previous two years under the Dutchman.
“Most of what Iraola has to say is relayed to them on the grass. Away from the training pitch, it’s rare to see him deep in conversation with any members of his squad. He prefers to maintain some distance.”
This comes after U21s head coach Rob Page told This Is Anfield that Iraola has “put a stamp on it straight away” with a step up in intensity in training.
“To do that, you have to train it. You can’t just turn up on a Saturday and expect to turn it on,” Page explained.
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola (L) and first team coach Tommy Elphick applauds the supporters after a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola (L) and first team coach Tommy Elphick applauds the supporters after a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Pearce explains that Iraola is more often found in the coaches’ office than his own private area, working closely alongside his backroom staff.
That includes assistants Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper and Pablo de la Torre, goalkeeping coaches Alejandro Rosalen and Colin Stewart and lead individual development coach Luiz Fernando Iubel.
Iubel was appointed to his role last September, and while he was involved during Slot’s tenure he has been a more visible presence in the new regime.
It is the Brazilian coach’s job to act as a bridge between the academy and first team, informing Iraola of those who could be ready to make the step up and supporting them in doing so.
Andoni Iraola and his staff ALL live on Merseyside
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's 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 Andoni Iraola during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If there is already more of a sense of unity with Iraola, his staff and the squad, that is a marker of the Spaniard’s hands-on approach and his commitment to embracing Liverpool beyond the club itself.
Pearce explains that, unlike Slot, Iraola and his family have relocated to Formby, where both Jurgen Klopp and Brendan Rodgers lived when in charge.
He adds that the entire coaching staff are now based on Merseyside, which he describes as a “significant change” from the previous setup.
Slot was criticised during his final season in charge for choosing to reside in Hale Barns, a village near Altrincham in Greater Manchester – a 40-minute drive to Kirkby and only eight minutes to Manchester Airport.
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v Como 1907
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)
iraolabradleyfrimpong
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Leeds United FC
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)