Liverpool can rest easy over the international break knowing they're undefeated so far this season under new manager Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola manager of Liverpool applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham at Anfield
Andoni Iraola is yet to lose this season as manager of Liverpool(Image: Getty)
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Andoni Iraola has still not lost a competitive game as Liverpool's manager. But the Spaniard will have nearly three weeks to wait before he takes to a dugout again.
The international break is upon us and the Reds will next be in action when they face Manchester City on October 11. Until then, boss Iraola can look back at what has been a moderately successful start to his debut campaign.
Iraola has so far taken charge of seven competitive matches. These include three Premier League draws and a pair of top-flight victories against Ipswich Town and his old side Bournemouth. He also guided Liverpool to an opening Champions League victory against Atletico Madrid and bested Tottenham in the Carabao Cup third round.
Alexander Isak has already scored four goals this season and contributed to these wins. But Iraola is expecting more from the Swedish marksman. There has been a stark admission made by Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, as the ECHOtakes a look at the latest headlines surrounding Anfield.
Andoni Iraola's striker plan
Liverpool snapped up Isak last summer from Newcastle United for a club-record £125m. And Iraola is reportedly intending to deploy the 27-year-old in a particular fashion and expects him to modify his approach from how he played under Arne Slot.
According to the Daily Mail, Iraola is demanding more from Isak and is even presenting him with footage of youngster Lewis Koumas in a bid to enhance his movement without possession and defensive contributions.
Alexander Isak (C) and Florian Wirtz of Liverpool look on next to manager Andoni Iraola during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco
Isak will be utilised differently by Iraola(Image: Getty)
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Iraola is keen for the Swedish forward to help overwhelm opposition sides as his Bournemouth team previously managed. He wants Isak to spearhead the high press with greater intensity and become more involved in play, linking up with Florian Wirtz.
The manager intends to utilise both Isak and Koumas as well, with his preferred system being to substitute two of his attacking players around the 60-minute mark, hoping they will have expended significant energy by that stage.
Kylian Mbappe discusses Liverpool move
Long before Isak's arrival, though, the Reds had their eye on another superstar striker. That was future World Cup winner and Real Madrid superstar Mbappe.
Kylian Mbappe (L) and German coach Jurgen Klopp talk after the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between France and Morocco
Mbappe says he held a meeting with Klopp(Image: Getty)
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His achievements at Paris Saint-Germain were extraordinary, featuring 256 goals across 308 matches and six Ligue 1 championships. Yet before even joining Les Parisiens, Mbappe conducted discussions with Liverpool, with his mother actually favouring a switch to Merseyside.
"It was while I was playing in Monaco," Mbappe told The Athletic, recalling events from 2017. "I had to make a decision. And yes, I was close to Liverpool. My mum was a big fan of Jurgen Klopp and the favourite destination for my mum was Liverpool. She wanted me to go there.
"I didn't listen because I wanted to play in my city, Paris. I didn't want to leave my country before I was someone. But yes, my mum was always saying, 'Liverpool – you're going to be there, playing at Anfield, it's going to be insane for you.' I was like, 'OK!'
"She went there. She went to the city, to the stadium and met the people. She was like, 'It's a wonderful club, everybody's so kind, it's a family club, a big club.' She went to Anfield and fell in love with it. She watched a few games alone, to feel the atmosphere, because she wanted to imagine me in this stadium.
"All the time we were talking. 'What do you think, Mum?' She'd say, 'For me, you have to go to Liverpool.' I said, 'OK, OK, OK!' because Jurgen Klopp was an amazing manager. I met him and had a wonderful relationship with him. I had big respect for him."
Ultimately, however, Mbappe was determined to make his mark on home soil before venturing overseas, opting instead to depart Monaco for PSG on an initial loan arrangement featuring a staggering £154million mandatory purchase option.