Andoni Iraola reveals how World Cup will affect Liverpool preparations for next season

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The Spaniard has already had a glimpse at his new squad in training over the past week before welcoming more of his players back over the coming days.He’ll have to wait a bit longer to get his full squad together though, with the World Cup adding a delay to some of his plans.The likes of Florian Wirtz, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak shouldn’t be too far off returning to training, with their countries having been eliminated early at the last-32 stage of the tournament.Goalkeeper Alisson Becker will follow shortly after following Brazil’s exit in the last-16, but Alexis Mac Allister and new signing Victor Munoz will be away for longer, with Argentina and Spain both guaranteed to play two more games, even if they lose their semi-finals."I’ve spoken with all of the players that have been in the World Cup, especially the ones that have already been eliminated and are enjoying their holidays,” Iraola said in his first press conference on Monday. “I didn’t want to disturb them while the World Cup was ongoing.Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk are among the Liverpool players to have had their return delayed by the World Cup(Image: ANP via Getty Images)"But I’ve had very good conversations.

I’m also using these couple of weeks I’ve had before we start properly the first-team training to talk with a lot of people who work every day here, and those are the ones that are helping me create a good environment so our players can perform and we can maximize their abilities."The World Cup has also potentially delayed the Reds’ transfer plans, with a number of reported targets - including Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola - having played their part in the tournament.Iraola is not too concerned though, with Liverpool’s new boss relishing the opportunity to take a closer look at some of the club’s younger players.“I think it is what it is, we cannot change it,” Iraola added. “The players deserve a break, the ones that have been in the World Cup, they deserve three weeks so they can enjoy their time with friends and family, and physically they need a rest after a very busy season.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

I’ve had now one week to see the training from the Under-21s, we’ve had some of the players from the first-team have been willing to come a little bit before so they are in a better shape to start. Already today, they didn’t have to come in but I have seen two or three that I haven’t seen before, they’re already here and ready for testing tomorrow.“This progressive introduction also will allow me to get more in touch with every player and also, especially with the young players, some players that have been on loan, give more minutes in pre-season.“The first part of pre-season is basically going to be with a lot of players from the academy, players that in other situations I wouldn’t know as well, and now I will have the chance to get to know personally, training every day with them, some friendlies, and it’s going to be good information for me.”