Andoni Iraola's reputation for aggressive, front-footed football made him Liverpool's number one target for head coach earlier this summer when it was decided to dispense with the services of Arne Slot. But there is another quality the Basque demonstrated at Bournemouth that will now hold him in good stead for the coming months.
During his three years on the South Coast, Iraola had no qualms in putting trust in younger talent, whether that be from the Academy or fledgling players bought to bolster the first-team ranks. Of course, occasionally that was more through necessity than design given Bournemouth, last season in particular, were compelled to cope with the kind of chronic injury list of which Liverpool have become all too familiar in recent years.
Proven track record with youth
If they impressed, Iraola kept faith. And it's why when the Cherries secured European qualification for the first time in their history with a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in May, the starting XI had a 20-year-old in midfielder Alex Toth and two 19-year-olds in forwards Junior Kroupi and Rayan.
Indeed, in the second half of last season almost 20% of the minutes at Bournemouth in the Premier League were from players who were aged under 21, with only Tottenham Hotspur (11.3%) and Manchester United (11%) also registering double figures. For Liverpool it was 3%, marginally below Arsenal's 3.2% and 4.5% at Manchester City.
Openings at Anfield
Iraola is unlikely to have to rely on the same level of youth this season at Liverpool. However, the closure of the transfer window and the failure to bolster in certain areas of the pitch mean there will likely be more openings for younger players.
As is commonplace, a number of youngsters were given an opportunity during pre-season, including 16-year-old Josh Abe. But while the winger will continue his development with the main Academy teams, and others such as Kieran Morrison and Ifeanyi Ndukwe have gone out on loan, there are likely to be first-team chances for a handful of youngsters.
Six players in line
Chief among them are two that have already long established themselves as first-team squad members and are now knocking on the door for more regular minutes. Rio Ngumoha, who turned 18 at the weekend, was handed a sixth career Premier League start on the opening weekend at Newcastle United and is already a full England international, while fellow teenager Trey Nyoni is expected to step up in midfield despite yet to make a top-flight XI.
The others, though, have had to wait a little longer for their current situation. Lewis Koumas made his senior breakthrough with a goalscoring debut in February 2024 but, in between several loan moves, made only his second Liverpool outing at Newcastle a fortnight ago having impressed Iraola as an option on the right wing during the warm-up programme.
In midfield, 21-year-old James McConnell, having been touted for a loan move to Championship side Preston North End, made the bench for the opening two Premier League games although the last of his 13 Liverpool outings came in February 2025. And up front, both the fit-again 20-year-old Jayden Danns and 18-year-old Will Wright - who has started the U21s campaign in goalscoring form - will be in line for involvement in the League Cup at the very least.
Of course, centre-back duo Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni were brought in for a combined fee of almost £100million and had already gained reasonable senior experience before moving to Anfield. But both are relatively wet behind the ears - Jacquet turned 21 in July and Leoni is still only 19 - and will surely benefit from Iraola's clear faith in the old adage that players are old enough if they are good enough.
Liverpool will now hope the head coach can continue his trend with promoting and developing youngsters. They are going to be needed.
