Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola will already have his eye on the next transfer window after a mixed start to the season
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola will be back at Bournemouth on Sunday(Image: Matt McNulty, Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola is poised for his first return to Bournemouth following a testing start to his tenure as Liverpool boss. Since being recruited by the Reds from the Cherries, the Spaniard has inherited several of the problems that undermined his predecessor, Arne Slot.
These include an imbalanced squad and the puzzle of how to get the best out of the club's expensive acquisitions, such as Florian Wirtz. Iraola jumped to the German playmaker's defence this week, insisting he was "very happy" with him and rates him "very highly."
Ahead of Sunday's game at the Vitality Stadium, the Reds remain unbeaten in the Premier League but, disappointingly, have drawn three of four matches, two of which required late levellers.
The midweek victory over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and the displays of the youngsters brought into the team provided hope and may have given Iraola some welcome selection headaches. Here's a summary of the latest Liverpool news....
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No favours for Iraola
Liverpool will need to stump up another £100million-plus transfer fee to secure Bournemouth star Rayan, according to reports in Brazil. The Reds have been linked with the 20-year-old but have been informed they cannot anticipate any special treatment because of Iraola's connection with the player.
According to ESPN Brazil, Rayan's £130m release clause becomes active in 2027 and the Cherries will not shift from that valuation, even for Iraola. The report further states that, should the fee not be matched, Rayan will remain at Bournemouth, where he is contracted until 2031.
The Daily Mail, meanwhile, suggests that Liverpool are highly unlikely to commit to such a sum, having only recently paid Paris Saint-Germain £123m for Bradley Barcola.
Rayan of AFC Bournemouth
Rayan has reportedly been on Liverpool's radar(Image: Getty Images)
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Club chief shocked by Reds
A club chief has expressed his astonishment at the swiftness with which Liverpool moved to secure one of their players. At the close of the transfer window, the Reds confirmed the £30m acquisition of goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans from Genk, who has immediately been sent back to the Belgian Pro League club on loan for the campaign.
The teenager, who had also attracted interest from Real Madrid, is regarded as a potential long-term successor to Alisson. Per Sport Witness, Genk director of football Dimitri de Conde said: "I knew he was on the radar of top clubs, that he'd even visited Real Madrid.
Lucca Brughmans
Lucca Brughmans has been loaned back to Genk for the season(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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"And that he was one of the lads we hoped to get a handsome fee for at some point, to ensure the club's survival. But for it to happen that quickly and for that amount, I never saw that coming."
Brughmans has featured in every match this season for Genk, who currently sit ninth in the Belgian Pro League after six games.