Andoni Iraola has urged Liverpool's experienced stars to embrace vulnerability and guide the club's new arrivals and young talents. The new Reds boss is not demanding perfection but expects honesty and resilience to forge a bond with the Anfield crowd and a strong link between old and new players.
Iraola's message to his squad
Iraola, who took over from Arne Slot, has seen limited new faces so far, with Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz joining. Senior figures like Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah have departed. Last season, Slot oversaw a large influx of signings including Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Alexander Isak, but the newcomers struggled with form and injuries as Liverpool failed to replicate their 2024/25 success.
Building trust through vulnerability
Iraola wants his senior players to show their weaknesses to avoid a repeat of those struggles. "Sometimes we need to show our weakness because sometimes we live in our bubble and protect ourselves a little bit. We pretend to show that we don't care about what people say," he explained. "Honestly, everyone cares, even big players that we think they don't care. They care inside. You protect yourself sometimes, 'no I don't care because I am so big.' Honestly, big players are not thinking this way, but sometimes it looks like they are."
He added: "Sometimes we need to see their weaknesses. They are not perfect. They will make mistakes. Show to the players that are not at the top level, the youngsters, the new signings, the support from the big personalities that we have."
Transfer priorities
Liverpool remain active in the transfer market to strengthen Iraola's squad. The manager has admitted a wide player is a priority, with Bradley Barcola at the top of the list after the club moved on from interest in Yan Diomande.
