How Iraola plans to build a new Liverpool era
The end of the Egyptian king's era
After nine seasons filled with trophies and historic moments, Mohamed Salah's Liverpool career has officially ended. His contract expired after the 2025/26 season and the article describes him moving to Turkish side Trabzonspor on a free transfer.
Salah leaves extraordinary numbers: 328 Premier League appearances, 193 goals and four Golden Boots. He also played a direct role in Liverpool winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups.
His departure removes more than goals. It breaks up the right-sided attacking structure that shaped Liverpool for years and forces the team to create a new identity without Salah's exceptional individual output.
The Andoni Iraola gamble
After a sharp decline following the 2024/25 title, Liverpool moved on from Arne Slot and appointed former Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola.
Iraola's project is built around extremely intense attacking pressure and physical work, echoing parts of Jürgen Klopp's legacy. But the article identifies three major risks:
- Slow starts: Iraola's system can take time to learn. His previous jobs included difficult opening runs before the football improved.
- Limited elite-club experience: he has built impressive teams on smaller budgets, but had not previously led a superclub expected to win every competition while balancing Premier League and European demands.
- A short pre-season: the post-World Cup schedule limited the time available to install his demanding physical system. Friendly defeats after losing two-goal leads highlighted problems in defensive transition.
Serious weaknesses across the squad
Iraola did not inherit a perfectly balanced team. The article highlights concerns in every line.
- Goalkeeper: Alisson remains a high-quality goalkeeper but is described as coming off a season in which he conceded 31 goals from 27.7 xGOT faced.
- Defence: Virgil van Dijk is now 35 and is joined by young Jérémy Jacquet. Injuries to Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni reduced depth, prompting Liverpool to bring Ronald Araújo on loan from Barcelona. Right-back depth remains a concern, while Milos Kerkez offers stability because of his previous experience with Iraola at Bournemouth.
- Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister return carrying a heavy physical load after the World Cup, while Dominik Szoboszlai is described as needing a clearer role after overuse during the previous season.
- Attack: there is no natural right-wing replacement for Salah. Cody Gakpo's future remains uncertain, while young Spanish world champion Víctor Muñoz and academy talent Rio Ngumoha carry responsibility. Alexander Isak has had recurring fitness problems, while Hugo Ekitiké — described as Liverpool's best player in 2025/26 — is expected to remain out until at least January 2027.
The central challenge is therefore clear: Iraola must install a demanding new identity while simultaneously replacing the production and tactical gravity of one of the greatest players in Liverpool's modern history.
