Liverpool

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Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy says making a managerial change was the "best way" for the Reds to move forward but he holds concerns over whether Andoni Iraola will have the right players at his disposal to suit his high-intensity style of play.

Murphy thinks fans will now approach the season with "excitement, rather than fear", with Iraola's appointment imminent.

However, the former midfielder added that he wonders if Iraola's Reds "will be able to play high-intensity football every few days because that will require a certain level of fitness - which we saw with Jurgen Klopp's teams with the flying full-backs, the midfield dynamism and the work-rate of the attackers.

"It's difficult to see how to create that with what he's got at the moment so the summer transfer window is huge for Liverpool in that respect.

"The current squad lacks legs and dynamism and isn't filled with brilliant players off the ball."

So, with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson departing, who should Liverpool pursue in the transfer market to suit Iraola and add the "legs and dynamism" Murphy highlights? Essentially, how would you revamp the squad if you were in charge? Give us names.

Get in touch with your views here

Listen to BBC Sport's Aadam Patel on Iraola's style below and access more Liverpool audio here

Prudent Nsengiyumva
Sport journalist

Moving from a successful Premier League side to a so-called 'big-six' club is sometimes seen as the natural next step for a manager.

So will Andoni Iraola, who has reached a verbal agreement with Liverpool, be able to make the step up from Bournemouth after finishing, ironically, in sixth place with the Cherries?

The data suggests it is one of the toughest transitions in the game - with short tenures, mixed results and no major silverware won by a manager taking that step within the Premier League.

For managers who earn a move to one of the Premier League's biggest clubs, the opportunity can arrive quickly. So too can the scrutiny.

The most consistent pattern is how short those spells tend to be. Of the managers BBC Sport has analysed, the majority failed to last two full seasons, with several dismissed before completing their first campaign.

• Read more on the 'big-six' leap

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We asked for your views on what success would look like for Liverpool next season under Andoni Iraola, who has a verbal agreement to succeed Arne Slot as head coach.

Here are some of your comments:

David: A successful season for me would be Champions League qualification with some better-looking football and players looking like they're giving their all for the club. I'd take that over a bunch of drab, flukey 1-0 wins which may earn an extra point or two.

Mike: Success this coming season would mean playing again with flair, heart and passion. Even in the trophy-winning season of 2024-25, Liverpool had become boring. The 2025-26 campaign was one to forget, lacking intensity and belief in the badge. The squad is going through upheaval, but challenging for the league, making Anfield impregnable and winning a trophy is a must. If the new style is front-foot, passionate and played with belief, the support will drive them further on.

Elliot: It will be refreshing to see an all-out attack, pressing style of football again. I think success will be a top-three finish, a deep run in the Champions League and maybe a cup final. Will just be happy to see an improvement from a dismal campaign.

Ben: Just better football on a consistent basis would represent a step up from the past 18 months, with Champions League qualification hopefully coming as a result of that.

Jim: In reality, although I hate to say it, I think a decent run in the cups and Champions League qualification for the following year is probably a successful season. That, and actually getting the team to play football again rather than the rubbish that we saw this season. I still think sorting out the defence is going to be the biggest issue, which could hamper any proposed success.

John: Any improvement on fifth in 2026-27 would be success. And if Iraola can achieve that with the style of football we were familiar with under Jurgen Klopp, it will feel like we are getting our identity back. I'm excited to see what he can do for us and for the younger players in the squad. I know he only signed for two years but I think that's a trial run and the real contract will come some time in 2028 when he has a real chance to build a legacy at Liverpool Football Club. I'd love to see him in the job for 10 years. Liverpool do well with that type of continuity.

Tony: Attractive, attacking, aggressive, front-foot, pressing football with a top-four finish, a quarter or semi-final appearance in the Champions League, and win a domestic trophy. That would be a great first season. But the bare minimum is top four in the Premier League, playing heavy-metal football and still being in with a chance of the title in May.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy feels the Reds will be in a much better position next season with Andoni Iraola than they were under Arne Slot.

"I'm quite excited because after watching Bournemouth play, there's no reason to think he's not going to try to play the same way - in terms of being courageous and on the front foot, and trying to press teams with high energy and play attacking football," Murphy said.

"When a fanbase becomes disillusioned with a manager and his style of play - and then start turning on him - you're delaying the inevitable. I do believe Liverpool are better placed now.

"Bringing in Iraola was the best option because the fans go into a new campaign with hope and excitement, rather than fear. You do not want to start the season with the players feeling the anxiety from the outset, and this was the best way for Liverpool to do it."

Managers have often struggled to make the step up in the Premier League in the past, the most recent example when Thomas Frank joined Tottenham from Brentford.

But will Iraola - who moved to Bournemouth from Spanish side Rayo Vallecano - succeed where others have not?

"I do have a couple of reservations because he's never managed a club of this size before and he will be a little bit surprised at how intrusive it will be on his life when you manage Liverpool," added Murphy, who is a Match of the Day pundit and BBC Sport columnist.

"Even as a player, that changes overnight because it's one of the biggest clubs in the world and everything you do will be scrutinised and talked about, locally and globally.

"The only other reservation is whether he will be able to play high-intensity football every few days because that will require a certain level of fitness - which we saw with Jurgen Klopp's teams with the flying full-backs, the midfield dynamism and the work-rate of the attackers.

"It's difficult to see how to create that with what he's got at the moment so the summer transfer window is huge for Liverpool in that respect. The current squad lacks legs and dynamism and isn't filled with brilliant players off the ball."

Read more here

Tom Jordan
Bournemouth fan writer

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Liverpool fans should feel a sense of enthusiasm at the possible arrival of new head coach Andoni Iraola, as he excelled in his role at Bournemouth - transforming the Cherries into one of the most impressive and offensive sides in the Premier League.

The red half of Merseyside can be excited with Iraola's brand of football, as it bears significant resemblance to that of former gaffer Jurgen Klopp. Bournemouth were consistently ranked among the league's best for pressing metrics, high turnovers and physical output, whilst attacking with speed and purpose rather than prolonged possession.

Alternatively, one might ponder whether Andoni could keep up this intensity throughout a season involving many more gruelling fixtures - including the Champions League.

The campaign that has just finished was actually the first time an Iraola side gained more points in the second half of a campaign when compared to the first. He certainly was able to adapt and preserve energy more this time around, as his relentless and aggressive football can definitely equate to some burnout within the squad.

For Andoni, it probably feels the right move at the right time.

He's consistently punched above his weight, not just at Bournemouth but at Rayo Vallecano previously too. He deserves an opportunity at one of the most elite clubs - and what better fit than Liverpool, a club and fanbase who'll undoubtedly relish his brand of football.

He has consistently improved every team he has coached, and now it's time for him to see if he can flourish under more pressure and expectations.

Every single Bournemouth fan was gutted to see him go, but this fit makes a lot of sense. Tactically and philosophically, there are very few coaches that appear more aligned with what Liverpool's hierarchy are ultimately seeking.

Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

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Andoni Iraola has reached a verbal agreement to become Liverpool head coach on a reported, external two-year contract, however the length of the proposed deal has raised a few eyebrows on social media.

It might seem strangely short on the surface, but the 43-year-old has favoured one-year and two-year deals throughout his entire coaching career at AEK Larnaca, Mirandes, Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth.

The rumoured deal would also mirror the two-year contract Iraola signed upon joining the Cherries in June 2023, which was then extended by 12 months in May 2024.

Iraola explained his preference for short-term deals in an interview with BBC Radio Solent back in October 2025.

"The only time I've ever signed a two-year contract is here at Bournemouth," he said. "It's not that I'm relaxed about it, it's that I don't want to continue at a club just because I have a contract. I want to continue at a club because both parties are happy.

"I don't think managerial contracts are as important as player contracts, because I have to get results at the end of the day. I can have whatever contract, but if I don't get the results for three or four months then I will be in danger.

"So I try to focus on the short-term in terms of doing my job and getting the results - and normally everything is fine.

"It was a little bit different in Spain. When I was at Rayo Vallecano, a lot of the time I used to renew my contract after the season. I renewed my contract twice after the season had ended there.

"I wouldn't feel pleased with signing a new contract just to have the assurance that if they sack me, I will receive some money. I believe you have to earn the right to it every season.

"It doesn't matter if you have another three years on your contract or not as a manager because if one party isn't happy, normally it breaks off. So, for me, there has to be a renewal of confidence from both parties every year.

"Marcelo Bielsa, Ernesto Valverde and Inigo Perez approach their contracts in the same way as me, so it isn't something that I specifically do. There are plenty more coaches with this approach - and I think it is quite fair."

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We asked for your views on whether James Milner would be a good addition to the coaching staff at Liverpool after he announced his retirement earlier this week.

If you scroll down this page you can read Brighton CEO Paul Barber explain the demands for standards Milner placed upon him during his time with the Seagulls. "He was absolutely not satisfied with anything we did," explained Barber.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: What a great shout! I would take Milner all day long. What a fantastic asset he would be for the team and he wouldn't tolerate anyone giving less than 100%. Get him in now.

Simon: Milner's always been an absolute professional, willing to slot in in any position and give 100% effort for 100% of the match. It's always been easy to see him becoming a top coach/manager and I think we could do a lot worse than get him in now, let him get some coaching experience, and see where things go.

David: James would be a massive asset to the club. Those of us who have followed him at Liverpool know he will not accept anything less than 100%. All the younger players would look up to him simply because of his reputation.

Les: Without doubt, James Milner as part of an Andoni Iraola management structure plus Steven Gerrard would be appealing to all Liverpool supporters.

Steve: Great call. Milner is hugely respected within the game for his application and professionalism and will be a great enforcer for the new manager.

Pacman: Having Millie there would be a good influence and might help avoid the inevitable disaster of appointing an inexperienced manager like Iraola.

Roy: Milner has a great football mind and comes across as really intelligent. He would provide a link to the Klopp era that would complement and support Iraola's style and he could easily develop into a future homegrown manager.

Liverpool fan Peter Bolster from the Spion Kop podcast says he is "excited" about the prospect of Andoni Iraola becoming the next Liverpool manager, and The Redmen TV's Ste Plunkett believes the Spaniard's lack of European experience will not hinder him.

Iraola has reached a verbal agreement with the Reds and the deal looks like it could be completed soon.

Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, Plunkett said: "Of the talent pool that was out there and the managers that were available, it seems an obvious fit in terms of what he does with his team and what we really want a Liverpool manager to do with our team. I think the construction of the squad last summer and potentially with the additions we do this year, we have to find a manager for the squad and I very much think we didn't have that last season."

Bolster added: "I'm very excited and I'm a little bit surprised with how excited I am. Large parts of last season I wasn't excited to watch Liverpool. I wasn't excited to go to Anfield, and I certainly wasn't excited for pre-season or the start of next season. And whatever happens from this point onwards, I am excited. Iraola might be the perfect replacement. We might be sitting in this situation in two years, saying it didn't really work, but I'm excited with the project and that's what all fans want to be."

On reservations about the potential new manager due to his lack of experience at the top level, Plunkett said: "You'd have liked to have seen him have some experience in Europe but then he's never really worried about reputation or who he's playing against.

"That doesn't seem to bother him, so I think the fact that he's fresh to all of that, he'll go into that invigorated and there won't be a hangover over previous campaigns where things have gone wrong.

"There were times this season, probably more so than he needed to, Arne Slot referenced PSG. Well, you won't get that because Iraola's not played PSG. He's not come up against teams in Europe and the challenges of the Champions League, so he'll see that as a massive plus for him. It's an opportunity to test himself against the very best, so I don't hang too much on that. You've got to give somebody a go. Everybody has to start somewhere."

Listen to the full chat above or on BBC Sounds

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The potential appointment of Andoni Iraola brings with it a point of heightened risk at Liverpool.

Iraola, 43, will undertake the biggest job of his career, with fans and experts in some quarters pointing to a lack of major silverware or an absence of immense external expectation in his eight or so years as a manager.

Others question him stepping up to such a role. Data shows only Mauricio Pochettino, Brendan Rodgers and Harry Redknapp have broken the 100-game barrier when managers have moved to a big-six club within the Premier League over recent decades. The likes of David Moyes, Nuno Espirito Santo, Graham Potter, Enzo Maresca, Frank Lampard and Thomas Frank have all not reached a century of games after big moves.

Adding to Iraola's challenge will be recent anger in the Liverpool fanbase at a perceived drop in standards at Anfield. Supporters have questioned the application of some players, while the intensity and frequency of training has been queried. Others grew frustrated at poor results being positively spun by the departing Arne Slot as an example of how mediocrity was being explained away.

One wonders, in a bid to set standards, if Iraola could turn to the now-retired James Milner as part of his backroom staff.

From a public relations standpoint, Milner - a Premier League and Champions League winner at Anfield - would connect Liverpool's future with its past, a trait many Kopites - young and old - tend to appreciate. Furthermore, he would command instant respect in the changing room while any new head coach earned his own, offering the chance to demand of players and set standards from the off.

As thing stand, Liverpool are yet to approach Bournemouth over bringing his former assistants Tommy Elphick - a lifelong Liverpool fan - and Shaun Cooper to Anfield.

But could Milner add further quality to the team?

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club on Monday, Brighton chief executive Paul Barber outlined the ongoing demands Milner made of those around him before leaving the club to retire.

"He was determined to set new standards," explained Barber. "He was absolutely not satisfied with anything we did. Everything had to be better. Everything had to be even better than he'd experienced at other clubs, much bigger clubs than ours and with bigger resources than ours. But he didn't see that as a barrier or as an obstacle to improving. That's James Milner. That's what you get. And that's why he's been at the top for such a long time.

"We were very happy to work with James for another year at least - because his appetite was still there, because his fitness levels were still there, his determination, his professionalism. And I think what people won't necessarily see as easily from the outside looking in is just his influence off the pitch as well as on it, and his support for the younger players, his encouragement for the staff, his determination to make wherever he is better.

"I mean, there are times when he could be pain as well for me. I remember that last summer we were all enjoying a holiday, the phone rings, I look at it and it's James and I'm thinking 'oh no'. It's a list of things that he wants to see improved at the training ground during the close season so that when he came back in for pre-season things were better than they were when he left them. It's not a five-minute conversation, it's a 45-minute to an hour conversation where he's going into detail as to why he wants these things done and what improvements he thinks they'll bring to the squad. So that's James Milner, as I say, as influential off the pitch as he is on it."

As a season of frustration and pointed-fingers makes way for change and new risks, could Milner offer calm and continuity?

Tell us what you think

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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This is not how Alexander Isak envisaged his first year at Anfield panning out following his protracted £125m move from Newcastle United last September.

The Premier League's most expensive player of all time scored just four goals and did not feature across four months of the campaign.

So what happened, and how did one high-profile deal end up damaging the season for two giant clubs of English football?

One of the many reasons why Isak pushed so hard to leave Newcastle was because he was hellbent on winning the biggest prizes in the game.

Isak looked well placed to quickly realise that ambition with Liverpool, the then-Premier League champions.

The Reds had been widely considered to be favourites for another title after landing Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and others in a bumper summer transfer window.

However, Arne Slot's sacking at the end of the 2025-26 campaign spoke volumes about what proved to be Liverpool's underwhelming trophy defence.

After a chaotic summer, in which he went on strike to force through a British record move, and a series of injuries, Isak endured his worst goalscoring season since the 2017-18 campaign for Borussia Dortmund, in which he only played 12 times.

Those at the club firmly believe 2025-26 was a freak campaign for Isak, who only played 21% of the total minutes for Liverpool in the Premier League.

Isak suffered a broken leg in December and, by the latter stages of the season, Liverpool were unwilling to risk him whenever he picked up minor concerns.

Read the full article here

Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with Andoni Iraola to take over as head coach following the sacking of Arne Slot.

The 43-year-old Spaniard is keen to bring Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, his assistants at Bournemouth, to Anfield as part of his coaching staff.

As the deal nears, we have a simple question for you - what does a successful first season look like for Iraola?

Get in touch with your views here

Liverpool and Paris St-Germain might both want RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande but the German club are calm about the situation as they believe the 19-year-old will not only stay with them for another year but also sign a new improved contract. (Sky Sports Germany), external

Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes, 21, has been cleared to leave West Ham after contact from Manchester United and Arsenal, while Liverpool and Paris St-Germain are also monitoring developments. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Liverpool fans have met news of an approach for Andoni Iraola in a mixed manner - with plenty of excited discussion and some concerns over his level of experience.

BBC Sport asked fan writer Lola Katz-Roberts to unpick some of the key talking points...

The words of doubt...

• "He's never won anything significant"

Andoni Iraola may not come with a glittering CV stacked with silverware, or an already iconic status on The Kop, but the Spaniard does come with one guarantee - he will, wholeheartedly, and no matter the scoreboard or opposition, commit to the most front-footed, attacking, aggressive playing style in the division. And it is a style that is, in the post-Jurgen Klopp era, engrained deep in the DNA of modern Liverpool.

• "Two games a week will test his style much more"

Liverpool managed to play two games a week quite successfully with a very similar style under Klopp.

• "His style of play will be too demanding and Liverpool's squad isn't built for it"

Across the pitch, Liverpool have players for whom playing pedestrian football is an alien and limiting concept. Milos Kerkez, who thrived under Iraola's stewardship, has looked out of place in Liverpool's strangely ponderous set-up.

Jeremie Frimpong, on the other flank, may find himself the biggest beneficiary of Iraola's appointment, released to attack at will down the right side.

Dominik Szoboszlai, who has cut a forlorn figure leading a one-man press at times this season, will surely be suited by a higher intensity.

And perhaps most importantly, for Liverpool's second-most-expensive signing of the summer - who never quite looked like he fitted in in the midfield or attack last season - Iraola's preferred formation of 4-2-3-1 should provide Florian Wirtz with the platform needed to establish himself as one of the league's leading lights.

• "He drew a lot of games at Bournemouth and went on winless runs - he can't do that at Liverpool - so it's a massive step up"

Liverpool is a step up for almost all managers in the game. Bar Klopp, every managerial appointment made by Liverpool in the modern era came with a significant degree of risk.

There are only two managers in world football, who at this moment, could walk into the Liverpool job and expect to dominate - and those names are Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. Neither are available, and neither have proven their ability to remain competitive without almost unlimited financial backing.

Iraola, on the other hand, has proven repeatedly that he can extract the absolute maximum from whatever resources he is presented with.

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The upbeat side of the fanbase

• "His teams make you work when you face them"

The minimum requirement when donning the red shirt is to run until you can't any more. Too often this season, Liverpool have been outworked and outfought by lesser opposition. A hard-working, physically robust team, will quickly endear Iraola to the Kop.

Under Iraola, Anfield will not be muted. Instead, the football will bring the best out of players and fans. This is a club that needs to attack, to chase, to strike fear into its opponents. And whether or not Iraola succeeds in his monumental mission to establish Liverpool as England and Europe's dominant force, he will unite the fanbase and resolve the club's messy identity crisis.

• "The style of play will be enjoyable to watch"

Ultimately, for Arne Slot what told was the style of football.

Something broke around March 2025 - a bruising League Cup final defeat by Newcastle was followed by a high-octane, energy-sapping Champions League last-16 tie with Paris St-Germain.

After that, Liverpool were not the same. The eye test and the numbers reached the same conclusion.

As autumn turned to winter and then spring, week by week, the atmosphere inside Anfield turned more apathetic, until apathy was replaced by outright mutiny.

The football on the pitch bore no resemblance to the identity of the club. This is the issue that FSG identified - with media briefings post-Slot's sacking emphasising the importance of refinding an aggressive, attacking football identity.

In a season dominated by set-pieces, long throw-ins and timewasting, Iraola's Bournemouth were the tonic.

Find more from Lola Katz Roberts at the Goal Difference podcast, external

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Liverpool legend Ian Rush says Sir Kenny Dalglish is "one of the strongest and most positive people", after it was revealed the Anfield great is having treatment for cancer.

The legendary forward and former manager wanted to keep the news private, but confirmed the diagnosis after accidentally sharing the news in an "inadvertent social media post".

Rush, who played alongside Dalglish at Liverpool, posted on Instagram, external: "The King is one of the strongest and most positive people I've ever known.

"If anyone can face this battle with courage and determination, it's King Kenny. We're all behind you."

Will Andoni Iraola be expected to win the Premier League in his first season?

Ex-Liverpool player Conor Coady thinks so given the expectation levels at the club.

Below you can watch the panel on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club discuss the task facing Iraola should he make the step up from Bournemouth to Liverpool.

In considering the data presented above regarding managers struggling when making the leap to England's bigger clubs, Coady said: "It's tough and it will be tough because the expectation at Liverpool is completely different to Bournemouth.

"I think so much of it is expectation.

"What he's done at Bournemouth has been incredible. I love when these managers like get opportunities at bigger clubs.

"I'm hoping he goes in there and flies because then you will see other managers getting chances but a huge part is expectation. Bournemouth are not expected to win the Premier League, Iraola will be expected to win the Premier League with Liverpool because of the money they have spent."

• Press play below to watch a clip, get the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

The Athletic's Adam Crafton added: "I think he's an amazing coach, incredibly impressive guy, but how does the intensity work when you're in four competitions?

"That is something I'd be worried about and Bournemouth picked up a lot of injuries even with one game a week. I'm curious to see how he adapts to that. I think he is capable of it."

Liverpool will face AS Monaco and Como 1907 in pre-season fixtures at Anfield

The Reds will finish their summer preparations with two games at Anfield, hosting Ligue 1 side AS Monaco on Sunday 9 August and Serie A side Como 1907 on Sunday 16 August.

Liverpool already have pre-season fixtures against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds planned for venues in the USA from 25 July to 2 August.

In a new BBC Sport documentary, James Milner reflects on a career that has ended at 40, after making a record 658 Premier League appearances with six different clubs.

Team-mates and coaches reveal the drive behind 24 years at the top.

Watch below or on BBC iPlayer here