Liverpool legend Ian Rush has called on fans and the club to give new head coach Andoni Iraola time to succeed, following his appointment as Arne Slot's successor in June. Rush believes a strong start to the season will be key to building confidence, though he acknowledged that winning the league remains the club's ultimate standard.

Iraola, 44, will take charge of his first competitive match away to Newcastle United on Sunday 23 August, having signed a two-year deal. Liverpool have lost key players including Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate this summer, with only Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz brought in so far, but Rush urged calm, pointing to the impending returns of Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni from injury as a potential boost. He also praised the departing Salah's nine-year Anfield legacy while noting his own goalscoring record remains intact, and highlighted the promising pre-season form of Welsh players Lewis Koumas and Harry Wilson.