Andoni Iraola’s first press conference as Liverpool boss has been received well by the Anfield faithful.
The Spaniard spoke candidly about the size of the task at hand and how he plans to take to the city after joining the club from Bournemouth earlier this summer.
The Reds’ pre-season is well underway, but a handful of senior players are set to return later this month due to their international commitments.
And Iraola has also confirmed that Liverpool will be without three key players during the first half of the season.
Andoni Iraola confirms Liverpool injury blow
Liverpool have been bolstered by the arrivals of Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz.
While the Frenchman is already part of the squad and is set to have a full pre-season under his belt, Munoz is set to link up with the squad later this month as Spain are in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Iraola still has a bunch of senior players to work with, but he will be without the services of Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, who are all making their way back to full fitness after long-term injuries last season.
“I think we have to accept there are difficult situations right now in terms of both sides, a lof of senior players leaving, players who have achieved everything here and also some important players injured. Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni, long injuries.
“So we have to replace important players making good numbers and those three injuries that will miss some time, we have to find a way to replace them.
“These three, they are long-term solutions but there will be in this case a period where are without them, so we need solutions.”
Liverpool need to be proactive in the transfer market
Munoz’s arrival adds another quality option in attack, with the Spaniard capable of playing out wide and up front.
His presence allows the Reds to wait patiently for Ekitike, who is recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered during the back end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Leoni tore his ACL during his Liverpool debut and has been unavailable since. Jacquet’s arrival eases the burden on the Reds’ backline, but Ibrahima Konate’s departure means they can do well with another central defensive option.
As for Bradley, he picked up a serious knee injury against Arsenal in January and is unlikely to feature for the first few months of the new season at least.
Jeremie Frimpong is available and fully fit, but the Reds might scour the transfer market for another right back as both players in that position have proved to be injury-prone.
