4 things we learned from first Andoni Iraola press conference as Liverpool changes outlined
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Andoni Iraola spoke to the media for the first time since becoming Liverpool's new head coach on Monday, with the Spaniard getting the chance to make a good first impression on fansAndoni Iraola speaking during his first press conference as Liverpool boss(Image: Getty Images)The Andoni Iraola era is officially underway at Liverpool, with fans getting to hear from their new head coach for the first time since being appointed earlier in the summer.Having been tasked with replacing Arne Slot, Iraola sat down with reporters at his first press conference as the Reds’ new boss, discussing a number of topics in what is a busy summer for him and his new club.The former Bournemouth boss will meet the majority of his squad over the coming days as pre-season gets started this week, having already got an early glimpse of what he will be working with last week.Before welcoming his players back to training, Iraola got the chance to speak openly about becoming Liverpool’s new head coach, and his plans going forward. Hearing Iraola acknowledge how big a job he’s walking into is good, but it’s also not unexpected - whoever Liverpool appointed would have almost certainly said the same.But in a world where players and managers feel like they’re distancing themselves further and further away from the towns and cities they’re actually representing, what is encouraging is hearing Iraola speak excitedly about Liverpool itself - not just the club.Andoni Iraola is relishing the move to Liverpool"Everything I say is scrutinized but I would like to act quite normal.
Iraola has got off to a good start with them though.He's on the same page with transfersIf you’re a Liverpool fan right now, you’re no doubt more than a little concerned at how quiet it is at the moment in regards to transfers.Jeremy Jacquet has arrived, and Victor Munoz will follow in good time, but other than that, there’s very little activity to get supporters excited again after what was a dismal season.Andoni Iraola will be expecting Richard Hughes to supply him with more new signings(Image: Getty Images)Having just arrived, and not having had the chance to work with most of his new squad, Iraola might have been forgiven had he tried bat any questions about transfers away, but instead, he faced them head on."Obviously we’ve signed two players already, but we need more players, we know this," he admitted.He’s on the same page as the fans then, and is obviously in no doubt about the improvements needed. Now it’s up to Richard Hughes to respond.He's wiping the slate cleanHarvey Elliott is clearly eager to make a big impression on his new boss.
“He'll have a chance in preseason; we'll need him, and it's a good sign,” he said on Elliott.Harvey Elliott in training with Liverpool's U21s ahead of the start of pre-season(Image: Getty Images)It’s not just the 23-year-old who could be eyeing up a fresh start. Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa’s futures are up in the air, and this presents a chance for them to finally make their mark.Iraola has wiped the slate clean, and those players who looked as though they were already heading out of the exit door under Slot can go into the summer with renewed confidence.He's not changing his stylePerhaps the most damning aspect of Slot’s downfall was the reaction from the supporters to what they were seeing.