Andoni Iraola headed into the first international break of the season unbeaten as Liverpool boss after Sunday's 1-0 win away at Bournemouth
Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola applauds the fans following during the UEFA Champions League football match between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid
Andoni Iraola has yet to lose as Liverpool boss(Image: Paul ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Liverpool’s encouraging start to the season under Andoni Iraola offers plenty of cause for optimism. The Reds boss returned to Bournemouth this past Sunday for the first time since leaving for Merseyside and defeated his former side 1-0, thanks to Alexander Isak's winner.
Sitting sixth in the Premier League, the Reds are one of five unbeaten teams in the top-flight. The Spaniard also captured victory in his first Champions League game against Atletico Madrid, while progressing to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup by beating Tottenham.
As the first international break arrives, speculation is already building around potential squad reinforcements, including reunions with some of Iraola’s former players, while summer signing Bradley Barcola has drawn high praise from a Premier League icon.
Iraola tipped for reunions
Jamie Carragher endorsed the prospect of Iraola returning to Bournemouth to secure Alex Scott and Rayan. The Spaniard oversaw a successful three-year spell on the south coast, culminating in the club securing European qualification for the first time in their history.
Standout performers Scott and Rayan were both linked with departures in the summer, with the Englishman reportedly attracting attention from Manchester United and Arsenal. The Brazil international had been mooted as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah at Anfield, yet both stayed at the Vitality Stadium.
Alex Scott of AFC Bournemouth celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth
Bournemouth pair Alex Scott and Rayan have been attracting significant interest(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Carragher suggested on Sky Sports that Iraola may utilise his connection to lure them away from Bournemouth. The Reds legend 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."
Barcola prediction
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool is challenged by James Hill of Bournemouth.
Bradley Barcola has been predicted to come good at Anfield (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
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Barcola became Liverpool's second-most expensive signing in history last month with his £123million switch from Paris Saint-Germain. The 23-year-old is yet to register a goal or assist, though that hasn't prevented Alan Shearer from tipping Barcola to quickly become an Anfield favourite.
The French forward has featured from the start in the past two Premier League fixtures and has drawn praise from the Newcastle icon, who reckons he can develop into a "complete player" if he adds more goals to his repertoire.
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."