After winning the title in Arne Slot’s first Premier League campaign, Liverpool endured one of their worst seasons across the past decade in his second, ultimately resulting in an end of season sacking. Three points below them, Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth secured European football for the first time in club history. Despite that, the prospect of taking the wheel at one of football’s most historic club must have been too good to turn down, and we now prepare for a new evolution in Liverpool’s post-Klopp era.
Embed from Getty ImagesIraola is known for being a tactically astute, forward thinking, attack-minded coach, capable of lifting middling teams to new heights. But Liverpool are not exactly a middling team like Bournemouth. They have one of the biggest fanbases in the world, and need to be challenging for Premier League and Champions League titles. The Spanish manager might need time to instill his tactics and philosophies. But at Liverpool, with expectations so high, time might not be on his side the same way it were at Bournemouth. Here is a look into Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool, and what they still need to solve in the transfer market ahead of the first fixture.
FINDING STABILITY AT THE BACK
Embed from Getty ImagesPart of what made Liverpool so unique and effective under Jurgen Klopp was their high-line defense led by speedy centre-backs, and creative, assist-powering full-backs. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson would often run the show from deeper positions, whilst Virgil Van Dijk spent the peak of his career dominating the pinnacle of Premier League forwards. He would often go multiple months at a time without even being dribbled past, and he had the support of the best sweeper keeper in the world in Alisson to mop up anything over his head.
Embed from Getty ImagesTogether, they were unstoppable. They won a Champions League and Premier League title under Klopp, were runners-up in both competitions on multiple occasions, and often had one of the best defensive records in all of Europe – season after season. But now, just about all of that is gone. Joël Matip was the first to go, hanging up his boots in 2024. Then Trent-Alexander Arnold made his flashy move to racecar Real Madrid. Andy Robertson was iced out when they could have used his experience so critically last campaign. Most recently, Ibrahima Konaté has left for Real Madrid too.
Embed from Getty ImagesAll that remains is a 35-year-old Virgil Van Dijk – who can no longer lead a defense to glory all on his own. They still have Alisson in goal, and that is a significant bonus. But Liverpool are looking tremendously light in defense for the second season in a row. Jérémy Jacquet will likely need time to settle. Joe Gomez seems to get injured every fifth or sixth match. Conor Bradley will be recovering from a knee injury. Meanwhile, Milos Kerkez looked miles off the pace last season under Slot (and actually, it was only his pace that impressed). The fact that we are approximately one week away from the season with no new full-backs in sight is a significant surprise.
Embed from Getty ImagesIraola himself knows how important attack full-backs can be to an entire construction of a system, after using Adrien Truffert and Álex Jiménez to great effect last season. Truffert contributed to 6 goals (1 goal, 5 assists), and would be an excellent addition to the Liverpool eleven. But as of now, Liverpool only seem to be chasing wingers.
The club recently signed Ronald Araújo on loan from Barcelona, which is an encouraging sign. The Uruguyan defender can play right-back and centre-back, and has many seasons of experience playing at a high-level for a possession-based side.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn terms of comparisons, he’s similar to what they had in Joël Matip. He’s incredibly strong in the air, a solid 1v1 battler, and comfortable covering significant ground. That final one is a big bonus given the way Liverpool defended last season, often leaving large spaces for opposition forwards to sprint into. Araújo provides the legs that will be needed to cover for an out of position full-back and a slowly declining Virgil Van Dijk. The fact that he can also play right-back, like Joe Gomez, will give Iraola options.
Embed from Getty ImagesBesides, they already signed Jérémy Jacquet way back in February, and he is expected to be the long-term Virgil Van Dijk replacement. Jacquet is thought of to be similar in how he defends large spaces, dominates the air, and commands 1v1 situations. But he’s still improving his ability to play out from the back in a possession-based team, and that’s something that will take time to develop under a new coach, in a league where even the most minor of passing mistakes can turn into goals.
Embed from Getty ImagesIf Jacquet is closer to being ready for Premier League action than we think, it may be okay to rely on Araújo at right-back, and Kerkez at left-back. It’s not perfect by any means, and pales in comparison to the days of Trent and Robertson. But it’s a stop-gap solution that could work toward their hopes of returning to Champions League football again next season.
Embed from Getty ImagesThat said, if no new signings come through the door, Iraola will likely undergo the same experimentation employed under Arne Slot.
They’ll have Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong rotating through the role, until Conor Bradley returns from his injury. Szoboszlai performed admirably in the position last season, but taking him away from the midfield also means he’s not able to impact games as much on the attacking end. Meanwhile, Jones and Frimpong have good energy and attacking thrust, but may lack the defensive positioning and awareness required for Premier League level right-backs.
Embed from Getty ImagesI always appreciated Frimpong at Bayer Leverkusen, and knew him to be one of the best wing-backs in the Bundesliga for his frightening pace and creativity in the final third. At Premier League level operating up and down the right wing, the flying Dutchman often looked disconnected from his teammates, and unwise with his decision making in the final third. Iraola could be the man to bring better output from the 25-year-old, especially if he gives him the confidence and a run of games.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut this is evidently a problem Iraola still needs to solve, and one that likely won’t be fixed by the time the season starts. For now, Araújo or Frimpong remain the likeliest options, and Milos Kerkez will be hoping for a better sophomore season on the other side.
MORE OUTPUT FROM BIG-NAME SIGNINGS
Embed from Getty ImagesLiverpool will also be hoping for more of an impact from their big-name, big money signings on the other end of the pitch. Last year, the Reds splashed over £300 million on Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké last summer, and perhaps that is one reason why the funds have seemingly dried up this time around. Ekitiké impressed dramatically for his electricity and intensity, scoring 11 goals in 28 matches before a sad World Cup ending Achilles injury.
Isak and Wirtz on the other hand left more to be desired. Isak scored just 3 goals in his 14 appearances before injury, mostly coming off the bench as a sub. Wirtz had more time to shine, but failed to beam bright, ending the season on just 5 goals and 3 assists. Not exactly what you want from a pair of players that cost over £200 million.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis has been a significant concern for Liverpool. They have spent so much money on so little output, just to have Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz depart the club for far cheaper than the players they’ve purchased. The left wing can be considered covered, to some extent. Hugo Ekitiké can fulfill a role upon his return, and Rio Ngumoha looks like one of the most exciting young talents in England. Cody Gakpo can also play on the left if he stays, and Victor Muñoz might very well hit the ground running.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut the right wing is far less concrete. It might be down to the same contenders as right-back: Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Curtis Jones – none of whom would be able to make up for the loss of Mohamed Salah from that position.
Embed from Getty ImagesIf Liverpool don’t act soon, they’ll be entering the season without a clear answer to a number of their problems. And with that, it’s hard to see how they can challenge for a title so soon after winning their last.
Nevertheless, as the transfer window nears its end, here is how Liverpool might line up next season under Andoni Iraola.
Who do you think Liverpool should sign to put all their problems to rest? Be sure to let me know on social media or in the comments below. Thanks for reading and see you soon!
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