Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is overseeing a new era at Anfield after replacing Arne Slot, with pre-season training set to begin next week. The 44-year-old Spanish coach took a closer look at his squad on Tuesday at the club's Kirkby training ground. The only signing so far is Victor Munoz from Osasuna, while Jeremy Jacquet, who signed in January, has officially joined the team. The ongoing World Cup is complicating transfer activity, as many targeted players are focused on the tournament. In the meantime, Iraola aims to retain his core group while getting to know them.
Van Dijk Contract Urged by John Barnes
Liverpool icon John Barnes has called on the club to secure a new contract for captain Virgil van Dijk, according to the Mirror. Van Dijk signed a two-year deal in 2025, but Barnes believes the Reds must keep their experienced players after losing Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson this summer.
“I’d like to see Virgil’s contract being extended because for Andoni Iraola, he’ll need his senior players,” Barnes told Betfred. “Those that have been around the block and know the club... so I think it’s important that we keep a hold of Virgil next season.”
Van Dijk has been at Anfield since January 2018 and has won every major trophy with the club. Despite speculation linking him with a move to Turkey, senior Liverpool sources have firmly dismissed any possibility of a departure.
Harvey Elliott Gets a Fresh Chance
Harvey Elliott could revive his Liverpool career under Iraola. The 23-year-old was a regular under Jurgen Klopp but saw his opportunities diminish after Slot took over in 2024. A loan spell at Aston Villa was unsuccessful, but Iraola has indicated that players like Elliott will be given a chance to impress.
“We’ve analysed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths,” Iraola said in his first interview as head coach. “I think we have a very good squad. I think there is still work to do, like normally in every club in this moment of the season. But right now, for me the thing is to value especially the players that we have right now in the squad. For me, and I will tell them, [they] are all new signings. For me, you are all new signings and I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and [I’m] really looking forward to working with them.”
Barcola Advised Against £128m Move
Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola, a reported target for Liverpool and Arsenal, has been advised to stay in France by former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly. The 23-year-old, currently representing France at the World Cup, is said to have told PSG he wants to leave, with the club demanding a fee of £128m according to L’Equipe.
Speaking to Sportcasting, Desailly said: “Barcola doesn’t need to leave PSG. He’s too young. He’s only 23-years-old. Didier Deschamps is teaching him a lesson, and he’s giving him a chance. He’s young - the attention and defensive alertness isn’t there to match the speed he projects when he’s going forward. He wasn’t making the effort to get back into position. So he’s growing, he’s learning and he’s getting that winning mentality on both sides of the game – being available for the team structurally without the ball while also being the one who makes the difference, just as the older players are doing. So, should he move to the Premier League? Not yet. Not yet at all. Sorry, Arsenal and Liverpool fans. He should stay at PSG, play 25 games a season and grow within that system.”
