Liverpool FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1
Liverpool FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 | DeFodi Images/GettyImages
When Steven Gerrard speaks about Liverpool, every single one of us Reds supporters stops to listen. So when the former Reds skipper sat down with fellow Red Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast at Virgil’s Legacy Trophy, his thoughts on the current state of play at Anfield hit right at the heart of what every fan has been mulling over during the last few months.
From backing Andoni Iraola to navigate the immense pressure of the Anfield hot-seat to explaining why keeping Cody Gakpo out of the clutches of Premier League rivals was our most important piece of summer business, Stevie didn't hold back.
Gerrard urges patience with Iraola
Taking the reins at Liverpool is pressure unlike any other in world football. While the transition under Iraola has naturally brought it's share of debate across the Kop, Gerrard insists the former Bournemouth boss has earned every right to be leading our club and needs the time to build a genuine title winner.
“I want to get behind him (Iraola) and give him a chance. I think he deserved the opportunity to be Liverpool manager, first and foremost. I thought he was outstanding at Bournemouth.What he did with that team and his philosophy and style of play, the results he got, the brand of football. He earned the opportunity to be Liverpool manager. It's a big step up, with all due respect, bigger pressure, bigger responsibilities to deliver silverware.”
For those of us watching week in, week out, Gerrard’s stance is a timely reminder. Rebuilding a team into trophy-winning machines doesn't happen overnight, but the tactical foundations and identity are clearly taking shape.
“I think he's got a lot of talent in his squad but I still think he needs time and patience to shape that squad, to turn them into winners again. I'm really excited, I'm optimistic, got a lot of hope. We've got talented players, if the manager can mould that into a title-winning team... He's got a lot of ingredients there to work with.”
Why holding off City and Spurs was vital
One of the biggest storylines of the summer transfer window was the intense interest in Cody Gakpo, with both Manchester City and Tottenham pushing hard to lure the Dutchman away from Anfield. Ultimately, Gakpo stayed put a decision that looks more crucial by the day, particularly following the devastating Achilles injury suffered by Hugo Ekitike in the second half of last season.
Gerrard made no secret of how disastrous losing Gakpo would have been for our attacking depth, leaving us dangerously light upfront.
“On the back of last season and the injury to Ekitike, we only really had one No.9 in [Alexander] Isak. It was critical that we kept hold of Gakpo. I think he's had a decent World Cup and pre-season, he's started the season on fire. He's got a small niggle at the moment but hopefully that's not too bad because we're going to need him.”
“He's an important part of the squad and hopefully he can keep delivering because if he can bring that consistency over the course of a season, I'm really looking forward to watching him.”
The squad showed incredible character in Wednesday night's Champions League clash at the Raiffeisen Arena, battling to an astonishing 6-3 victory over LASK.
Bradley Barcola put on a masterclass by bagging a brilliant hat-trick (24', 37', 66'), complemented by goals fromRonald Araújo (22') ,Jeremie Frimpong (51'), and young Lewis Koumas(72'). It marked our highest-scoring European fixture since the legendary 2001 UEFA Cup final against Alavés.
Following the domestic setback against Manchester City, answering back with six goals in Austria provides a massive boost as Iraola prepares his side for Saturday's tricky trip to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford.
Following the international break, Liverpool found themselves hit with fresh injury concerns in Szoboszlai, Isak, and Gakpo. Speaking during his Thursday pre match press conference day after the win over LASK, Iraola remained tight-lipped on precise return dates, admitting:
“They are not far, but it’s difficult to tell right now. None of the three have trained with the group and we are taking it day to day. I don’t know if they’re going to be ready for Brentford, for Villarreal, for Brighton, I don’t know.”
While the emergence of Lewis Koumas and Bradley Barcola finding his groove gives us vital breathing room in attack, every Red knows that having Gakpo fit and firing across a grueling autumn schedule could be the difference-maker.
Seeing a player who looked set to leave pull his Anfield career back from the brink is exactly the kind of passion and resilience Gerrard himself used to inspire on the pitch.