Liverpool boss confirms making further signings is a priority ahead of new season
Andoni Iraola has said Liverpool are still short of players ahead of the new season and that making more additions to the squad is a priority as he prepares for his first campaign at Anfield.
The 44-year-old, who succeeded to the role last month after leaving Bournemouth, said Liverpool are continuing to work in the transfer market despite already bringing in defender Jeremy Jacquet and forward Victor Munoz.
“Obviously we’ve signed two players already but we need more players, we know this,” Iraola said. “The club is working on this. Me as a coach, selfishly I want the players here from day one ready to train for preseason but understand football doesn’t work like this. I know the club is working hard for those signings and I’m trying to help also.”
Liverpool are in transition after the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, which mean that Iraola will have to work with a squad that has lost significant experience and most of the key players who were so successful under Klopp.
The Spaniard said he has already begun discussing changes with his players and coaching staff as he introduces his methods.
“Obviously I talked to the players, I talked to the staff, about the things that were not working very well and things that we think we can do differently,” Iraola said. “I have the advantage that probably players already know what we are going to demand in terms of style of play but we will have time to know each other.”
Iraola also added that he understood the demands that come with managing one of Europe’s biggest clubs but said he has no intention of isolating himself from life in the city.
“I understand that this is a massive club, everything that I’m going to say now is going to have the biggest scrutiny, you have to be very aware of the mistakes,” said Iraola. “But I wouldn’t like to be too careful. I would like to act quite normal, we were talking now, I’m not going to live in my bubble, just training ground, home.
“I would like to go to the city, experience the city, I know some places, I will have to take some pictures… But it’s part also of the magic of being the Liverpool manager. I would like not to change too much.”
Having spent the past three seasons at Bournemouth, where he guided the club to a record sixth-place finish last season, Iraola said his priority is to build a side supporters can identify with.
“I would like to give them a team that they can feel proud of,” Liverpool’s coach said. “I think football and especially Liverpool is about connecting – connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters.
“We have to be a team that works hard, intense, aggressive, vertical so everyone can be identified and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team.”
