Liverpool's winners and losers after Andoni Iraola's first 10 league games in charge, with five players benefitting greatly from the Spaniard's arrival, while four others are stuggling
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Andoni Iraola manager / head coach of Liverpool with Alexander Isak of Liverpool after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Liverpool FC at Gtech Community Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has made a big impact on Alexander Isak at Liverpool - but other players are struggling(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has hit his first real landmark as Liverpool’s head coach. With 10 league games now under his belt, it feels like the right time to properly assess his start at Anfield.
Overall, there have been some encouraging signs, especially after the disappointment of last season. The Reds are well placed in the top four, with their only league defeats coming against Manchester City and Arsenal, which are not entirely unexpected.
At the same time, it would be naive to think that all of Liverpool’s problems are now solved. There are still some very obvious areas to improve on, and an imbalance squad which needs rectifying - which can’t really be pinned on Iraola.
What will be most encouraging for supporters is that some players look to have taken to the change in management very quickly. Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola still need to offer more, but there are signs that, slowly but surely, they are getting to grips with life at Anfield.
On the other hands, some players are really struggling, and might even be beyond the point of no return under Iraola. Here, we take a look at the winners and losers from the Liverpool boss’s start at the club…
Winners
No one is enjoying a better season quite like Alexander Isak. To be fair, it would have been hard for him to endure a tougher time than his first year at Anfield.
The striker’s return to form might be more down to him actually being fit now, but Iraola’s influence does look to be having a positive impact, and hopefully that will only grow as time goes on.
Another who looks to be enjoying himself much more now is Alexis Mac Allister. After serious questions were asked of him last season, with even some comparisons to Fabinho’s infamous downturn, the Argentine has responded in the perfect manner.
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their team's first goal
Alexis Mac Allister has been one of the biggest improvements under Iraola(Image: Getty Images)
He has been one of the standout performers, and now looks to be the first name on the teamsheet in Iraola’s midfield. That’s no mean feat after the year Dominik Szoboszlai had.
One aspect that has perhaps come as a bit of a surprise is just how solid Liverpool has looked in defense. Iraola’s arrival brought with it predictions of chaos and all-out attack, so it’s to his credit that he has brought about a great deal of calm at the back.
Jeremy Jacquet has thrived since arriving, and Iraola must be credited with putting so much faith in such a young center-back. He did the same with Dean Huijsen at Bournemouth, and that approach has also greatly benefitted Trey Nyoni, who now looks a real contender to start alongside his more experienced teammates in midfield.
And we can’t forget Ronald Araujo, who has developed into a cult hero since arriving from Barcelona. Whether he ends up turning his loan move into a permanent deal or not, Iraola has given the Uruguayan’s career a boost it really needed.
Losers
Well, there’s sadly no other category to put Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo in. The pair are very much out of the picture at Anfield, and it will surely just be a matter of time before both leave.
Endo’s contract expires in the summer, offering a natural end to his time at Anfield, and he will retain plenty of good will, having shown no shortage of effort when he has played.
Chiesa is a very strange case. It looked fairly clear during the summer that he was not going to be in Iraola’s plans, and that was confirmed when he was left out of the Champions League squad.
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He’s still under contract until 2028, but selling him will be easier said than done considering his injury record. At this stage, Liverpool just needs to take what it can get for the Italian.
Endo and Chiesa aren’t the only ones whose days at Anfield look like they’re numbered. Jeremie Frimpong has failed to kick on this season, and injury problems are rearing their ugly head again.
He had already lost his place in the side to Araujo at right-back and with Conor Bradley hopefully not far away from a return, the Dutchman faces the ignominy of dropping to third-choice - possibly even fourth with Joe Gomez.
Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool FC celebrates after scoring his teams third Goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/2027 match between LASK and Liverpool
Jeremie Frimpong has continued to struggle(Image: (Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images))
Now he’s being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, it feels as though Liverpool might be best served cutting its losses with Frimpong. The plan for him to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn’t worked.
Not in the same realm as the aforementioned names, but Ryan Gravenberch must be getting a little worried about his position. Rewarded with a new long-term deal just a few months ago, you wonder where exactly he fits into Iraola’s plans at the minute.
We might find out more when he returns from injury, but with Nyoni coming to the fore, he looks like he faces a real fight to get into the midfield.