Andoni Iraola can handle Liverpool pressure - but Florian Wirtz will reunite with Xabi Alonso
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SportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool have also been told they must buy proven quality as transfer links with Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola continueAndoni Iraola has been backed to "handle the pressure" of being in charge of Liverpool - with the Reds urged to bring in more proven quality to help their new head coach.Iraola is preparing for his first game since taking over from the sacked Arne Slot last month with the opening match of the pre-season tour of the United States against Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday night.The Spaniard recently ended a three-year stint in charge of Bournemouth, who he led to European qualification for the first time in the club's history in May.And former Middlesbrough midfielder Gaizka Mendieta believes Iraola is equipped to once again have Liverpool challenging at the top of the Premier League."I know Andoni Iraola well, and he can handle the pressure," he said. "He is ready for the challenge at Liverpool."While you cannot promise trophies, he can quickly bring a clear style of football and identity to the club."His experience in the Premier League has taught him what is required.
He is ready and will deliver."Iraola has made clear Liverpool's need for a new winger, and Mendieta is adamant the Reds must recruit a proven talent to complement the signing of £34.5million Spain World Cup winner Victor Munoz from Osasuna."Munoz can play on both sides but is better on the left," said Mendieta. All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page"At a club like Liverpool, you cannot always wait for potential.
Players like Bradley Barcola, who is 23 and has won the Champions League and league titles with PSG, fit that profile better than a younger player who Iraola would have to teach."Speaking to BetVictor, Mendieta is also convinced Florian Wirtz will be reunited with former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso at some point in his career, although not necessarily at Alonso's new club Chelsea."When a manager has worked with a player at his best, they often want to reunite," he said. They didn't reach the expected level, so perhaps not this season, but I am sure they will want to reunite in the future."The same applies to Andoni Iraola, he will be looking at the market for players he has previously managed who can succeed in the Premier League."Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FC