Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s head coach, addressed various topics during a press conference in Chicago, marking the start of the club’s pre-season tour in the USA. Discussions included the ongoing transfer window, the future of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Dominik Szoboszlai’s new contract, and the selection of a vice-captain.
Iraola emphasised the importance of pre-season friendlies and training sessions, particularly for a new manager integrating into a club. He noted that every session and friendly is crucial for building a strong foundation for the upcoming season, aiming for the team to be in optimal condition for the first day.
Transfer window priorities and defensive depth
Regarding transfers, Iraola stated that while it is difficult to specify an exact number of players needed, the club remains open to new options to enhance the squad. He confirmed a clear need for a winger, stating, “We definitely need to sign a winger.” This comes after Victor Munoz was acquired from Osasuna, but Mohamed Salah’s departure has left a gap.
The head coach also highlighted defensive concerns, especially in the right-back and centre-back positions. He mentioned that the team is currently “very thin” defensively due to injuries. The situation with Conor Bradley, who is recovering from a serious knee injury and is expected to be out for several months, complicates the right-back role. Iraola expressed trust in Bradley for the long term but acknowledged the immediate need for solutions.
Iraola also confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson is staying with the club despite earlier interest from Juventus. He underlined Alisson’s importance in the changing room, citing his experience as crucial for helping new and young players adapt. Other experienced players like Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were also mentioned as key figures for guiding the squad.
Squad leadership and pre-season plans
The new contract for Dominik Szoboszlai was described by Iraola as “the greatest news since I arrived.” He praised Szoboszlai’s commitment and leadership by example in training, suggesting he has the potential to be a future leader within the squad. Iraola aims to utilise Szoboszlai effectively and help him continue his strong form.
The decision on a new vice-captain is still pending, as Iraola has yet to meet all the squad members face-to-face. He stressed that leadership extends beyond wearing an armband, advocating for multiple leaders on the pitch. The selection will be made later in pre-season.
For the pre-season tour, Liverpool will train in Chicago before heading to Nashville for their first friendly against Sunderland. Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch are set to join the squad before the second match against Wrexham in New York. However, Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Alisson will not travel to the USA, instead beginning their pre-season at Kirkby.
Iraola explained that this decision was made because Van Dijk played the most minutes in Europe last season, and it was deemed sensible for these players to start their pre-season in a smaller group. He also noted that Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz, who played until the end of a recent tournament, deserve their holidays, which may affect their readiness for the start of the season.
The tour is also significant commercially for the club, aiming to connect with its fanbase in North America. The team is scheduled to play Leeds United in Illinois after their matches against Sunderland and Wrexham.
Hugo Ekitike, Stefan Bajcetic, Giovanni Leoni, and Conor Bradley are part of the travelling contingent to continue their rehabilitation from long-term injuries.
The Premier League season for Liverpool is set to begin on August 23 against Newcastle United.
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Source: liverpoolfc.com
As NewsGB's Senior Football Correspondent, Jack Ferndale reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He covered north-east football for a regional daily. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Jack lives in Sunderland, where he watches lower-league football home and away. “The story is in the squad, not just the starting eleven.”
