Liverpool have made a strong start to the season under Andoni Iraola and the Spaniard has been backed to sign two former Bournemouth players.
Alex Scott, James Hill and Rayan celebrating for Bournemouth.
Alex Scott, James Hill and Rayan celebrating for Bournemouth. (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool's slender 1-0 triumph against Bournemouth will have given Andoni Iraola reason for optimism regarding the opening phase of his tenure. The Reds climbed to sixth position in the Premier League table following Sunday's result and are one of only five unbeaten teams in the division.
Iraola has guided Liverpool to two victories and three draws so far, while overcoming Atletico Madrid and Tottenham in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, respectively. The season's first international break is now in full swing and Iraola has already been informed a potential suitor to bolster his squad by recruiting previous favourites. Meanwhile, Bradley Barcola has received advice from an English football legend. Express Sport examines the latest developments concerning the Merseyside club....
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Jamie Carragher proposed the idea of Iraola targeting former employers Bournemouth to land Alex Scott and Rayan. The head coach oversaw an impressive three-season spell on the south coast and steered the club to European qualification for the first time, with the Cherries pair instrumental.
Scott and Rayan were both linked with departures during the summer, with the Englishman reportedly attracting attention from Manchester United and Arsenal. Brazil international Rayan, meanwhile, had been mooted as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah at Anfield, but both ultimately stayed at the Vitality Stadium.
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Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, suggested that Iraola could exploit his former connections to lure players away from Bournemouth.
He said of Scott: "I think he's a wonderful player. There was a lot of interest in him in the summer and because Liverpool have a former Bournemouth manager, you almost think: will there be a link or will there be a couple of players moving that way?
"I thought Rayan was fantastic last season as well. It will have been really good for him to get a goal in midweek because he probably hasn't been himself at the start of the season. There are some fantastic players here at Bournemouth."
Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola celebrating.
Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola have enjoyed strong starts to the season. (Image: AP)
Bradley Barcola cemented his place as Liverpool's second-most expensive signing in history last month after completing a £123million move from Paris Saint-Germain. The 23-year-old is yet to register a goal or assist, but that hasn't stopped Alan Shearer from tipping Barcola to swiftly become a firm favourite on the Kop.
The French winger has featured in Liverpool's last two league matches and has drawn admiration from the Newcastle legend, who believes he has the potential to develop into a "complete player" — provided he sharpens his goal threat.
He recently told Betfair: "When Barcola started last week against Fulham, I thought he was brilliant. There is no doubt he's got huge ability. He needs to add more goals to his game to be complete. But in terms of excitement and getting people off their seat, he'll do that in abundance."