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The challenges of Andoni Iraola, Liverpool's new manager
Andoni Iraola faces major challenges as Liverpool's new manager, including reviving key players and resolving squad issues.
Liverpool have a new manager. Just over a year after Arne Slot led the Reds to win the English championship, the Dutch manager was replaced as coach by Andoni Iraola. The change of manager has already brought optimism back to Anfield after a disastrous Premier League title defence, with 12 defeats. Furthermore, Liverpool were humiliatingly eliminated from the Carabao Cup, losing at home to Crystal Palace, and suffered heavy defeats in the FA Cup and Champions League against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively.
Arne Slot was not the only one responsible for Liverpool's sensational regression, who despite not having won any trophies last season, should still have shown intensity in their game. Yet, the team has appeared mentally and physically fragile for most of the season, and it is no surprise that fans have become impatient as their team struggle to score goals and keep clean sheets.
Sporting director Richard Hughes has therefore entrusted Iraola with the task of reviving a team that appears to be in difficulty. Hughes had already signed Iraola to Bournemouth in 2023, where the Spanish manager had done an excellent job, leading the team to a surprising sixth place in the Premier League last season.
However, Iraola's task will not be easy at all. As he prepares to officially take on his new role, the Spanish coach has many issues to resolve. Here are the most urgent:
1. Relaunch Alexander Isak Usually, the last player a coach would want to see participate in a major tournament is a key player on their team. However, Slot argued shortly before being sacked that Alexander Isak's participation in the World Cup would actually be good news for Liverpool.
After all, there was no risk for the Swedish player to face an excessive workload, given that in his first season in England, marked by injuries, he had only made 13 appearances as a starter.
For this reason, Slot thought it was "very useful" for Isak to be able to play "many matches" during the World Cup.
However, there is a real risk that the attacker could get injured again in North America, but it is indisputable that Isak needs to accumulate minutes, more than any other player in the squad.
Another aspect to consider is that it would be a great advantage for Iraola if Isak were to return from the world competition unscathed and with greater confidence, after having had the opportunity to play consistently and perhaps score a few goals.
The first indications in this sense are positive, given that Isak came on as a substitute in the friendly match between Sweden and Norway on Monday, scoring a wonderful goal.
Given Iraola's experience with Isak during his time at Bournemouth, the new Liverpool manager knows well which version of the striker he needs: Newcastle's. A season like last year, with just 4 goals scored, would be unacceptable for a player who cost 125 million pounds.
So, while Iraola will want Isak to participate as much as possible in the pre-season training camp to learn the importance of pressing in the new team's game, the World Cup could prove decisive for the Spanish coach to get the best out of his new striker.
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