Andoni Iraola, freshly appointed Liverpool manager, has pledged to give supporters a team they can be proud of. The 44‑year‑old signed a two‑year deal after three successful seasons at Bournemouth, where the club finished fifth, just ahead of his former side. He stressed the need to connect with Anfield’s fans, saying football at Liverpool is about “connecting with the people”. Iraola highlighted his vision of a hard‑working, intense, vertical side that fans can rally behind.

He has already spoken with most first‑team players and confirmed that more signings are in the works, with a focus on attacking and defensive reinforcements. Harvey Elliott will be given a chance in pre‑season, while the club looks to strengthen the squad further. Iraola plans to immerse himself in the city, take photos, and avoid being “too careful”, aiming to stay natural on and off the pitch.

The new manager’s challenge is to translate his high‑intensity style into a squad that struggled physically last season. While his coaching credentials are solid, his ability to thrive as Liverpool’s figurehead remains to be proven.