REUTERS/Phil Noble
Liverpool have had a strong start to their 2026/27 season under new manager Andoni Iraola, even despite some struggles on the pitch.
The Reds have claimed two wins from their opening five Premier League games, defeating Ipswich Town and Bournemouth, drawing against Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, and Fulham, while they also defeated Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup.
While there have been major question marks over the effectiveness of £116m man Florian Wirtz in English football, the team have been very open defensively, too. Iraola is still trying to figure out what his best team is, and also how best to set the team up.
Replacing Mohamed Salah in the summer window was the big job that Liverpool were tasked with, and the club was able to agree a deal worth £123m with Paris Saint-Germain to sign winger Bradley Barcola.
The France international has joined the team with major expectations, having won back-to-back Champions League titles with PSG, while also playing a pivotal role in the World Cup with France as they reached the semi-final stage.
It's been a slow start for the 24-year-old so far, with no goal or assist yet in a red shirt. But Iraola has found a superb alternative for his time despite the struggles of two big-money players, and it has already aided him in picking up extra points.
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Fees correct prior to summer 2026
While both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot prioritised getting the most out of Salah from a wide position in the attack, Iraola is looking to get the most from his starting striker - Alexander Isak.
The Swede broke the club's transfer record in a £125m deal two summers ago, but endured a really difficult season as he struggled with a number of injury issues, including suffering a broken leg in December. That meant that he managed to score just four goals in 22 appearances.
However, just seven appearances into this season and Isak has already matched that tally, leaving him just one goal behind Erling Haaland in the pecking order for the golden boot.
Iraola's Isak Decision Saving Liverpool
Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Liverpool's two wins in the Premier League so far came at an aggregate score of 3-0, with Isak scoring all three goals. He also scored the opener in the 2-2 draw with Forest, and registered a crucial assist in the 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid.
His return to fitness has been a major boost for Liverpool, but Iraola's ability to unlock him and get him back to his best has been huge for the team. They have another talisman in the squad, and that's despite the fact Barcola is yet to find his feet, and Hugo Ekitike remains sidelined with an achilles issue.
His form means there is now less pressure on Barcola to hit the ground running as a big-money signing, but also means that the team has someone they can rely upon to win them games on his own.
The team may have splashed the cash to bring in Barcola, but it's Isak who is the real Salah replacement at Anfield this season.