Andoni Iraola finally secured his first Premier League home win as Liverpool head coach in late October, beating Brighton & Hove Albion in front of the Kop. The emotion he showed while celebrating was a sign of the relief felt at clinching that maiden league victory at Anfield at the fourth attempt.
The delay was a quirk of this season's fixture list, made more unusual by an expanded September/October international break. Despite waiting until mid-October for that first home league win, Liverpool are far from struggling.
Strong Start Under Iraola
The Reds have won eight of Iraola's 12 matches in charge, with the victory over Brighton lifting them into the top four. The only defeat came after they were reduced to 10 men against Manchester City.
Draws against Nottingham Forest and Fulham preceded that loss, but Iraola had already overseen three Anfield victories in the Champions League and League Cup against Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal before beating Brighton. Liverpool's home stumbles in the league were not unique to his early weeks, having won only five of their 14 home league games throughout 2026.
Alonso's Return to Anfield
Before facing Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday 1 November and Manchester United on Sunday 22 November, Liverpool welcome Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. The match marks the first time club legend Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield as a Premier League manager.
Alonso, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, received a hero's welcome in each of the past two seasons with Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid. Supporters had wanted him to succeed Jurgen Klopp and later Arne Slot, before the club moved for Iraola, who grew up alongside Alonso in the youth ranks at Antiguoko.
Alonso has started similarly at Chelsea, winning six of his first 10 games. Just two points separate the two sides in the Premier League table, with Chelsea in fifth behind Liverpool.
Fans Embrace New Era
Despite Alonso's place in supporters' hearts, there are no wistful looks towards the opposing dugout. Liverpool fans are content with their new era under Iraola, who is helping them enjoy the team's football again after a difficult campaign last season.
His beaming smile when saluting the Kop after that first Premier League home win told its own story during these formative weeks of his Anfield reign.
