New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has arrived at the club's AXA Training Centre as the squad prepares for the 2026-27 season, with most first-team players due back on Merseyside next week. The Spaniard has just over a month to imprint his ideas before Liverpool's Premier League opener away at Newcastle on 23 August, and the appointment follows a troubled end to Arne Slot's tenure marked by a perceived lack of identity, boos at Anfield and public criticism from Mohamed Salah. Iraola's remit is to restore excitement and impose a front-foot, aggressive playing style.

Iraola arrives with a revamped backroom staff, including former Bournemouth coaches Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper and assistant Pablo de la Torre, and is known for hands-on, high-intensity sessions. His first press conference is set for 13 July, with individual player assessments to follow, and Liverpool depart for a pre-season tour of the USA on 20 July. Most of the World Cup contingent — including Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Alisson Becker — are expected back after their tournament exits, while new signings such as £60m centre-back Jeremy Jacquet (from Rennes) and Victor Munoz join up. Iraola faces the added challenge of juggling Champions League football, plus decisions over whether young defenders Jacquet (20) or Leoni (19) are ready to partner Van Dijk, alongside ongoing injury recoveries for Hugo Ekitike and others.