"We Need to Sign a Winger": Andoni Iraola’s Key Takeaways on Transfers, Injuries, and Squad Leadership.

Fresh off touching down in Chicago for Liverpool's pre-season tour, head coach Andoni Iraola delivered his most comprehensive media briefing since taking charge.

Covering everything from staggered post-World Cup returns and lingering long-term injuries to transfer targets and Alexis Mac Allister’s future, Iraola gave supporters a clear, honest look at where the squad stands heading into the 2026/27 campaign.

Here are the major takeaways from the boss.

• Staggered Pre-Season Returns: Managing World Cup Fatigue

With several key figures coming off heavy summer workloads at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Iraola outlined a carefully tailored schedule to get everyone back to peak fitness:

• Joining in the US (Week 2): Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch will link up with the main tour group during the second week. Iraola stressed the importance of having them integrated early so they can absorb the new tactical principles.
• Remaining at the AXA Training Centre: Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and Cody Gakpo will not travel to the States. Instead, they will begin pre-season work directly at Kirkby.
• Managing Van Dijk: Iraola specifically highlighted Van Dijk's workload, noting that the skipper logged among the highest minute totals of any player in Europe last season.

"Virgil has been the player with the most minutes in Europe I would say. They will start the same week as the others, but instead of making them come here, it makes sense they start the first week at the AXA.

Andoni Iraola

• Injury Room Update: Two Near Returns, Months Out for Others

Iraola provided a full medical status report, revealing a mix of positive progress and ongoing concerns across the squad:

• Partial Training Return: Stefan Bajcetic and Wataru Endu are on the verge of returning to group work and will begin partial training sessions shortly.
• Closest Long-Term Return: Defender Giovanni Leoni is making good progress and is currently the closest of the long-term absentees to returning.
• Sidelined for Months: Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike face much longer roads back, with Iraola confirming both are still months away from action.
• Transfer Priorities: Wingers and Defensive Depth

Addressing Liverpool's remaining transfer window plans, Iraola was transparent about the areas requiring immediate reinforcement:

• Must-Sign Winger: Following Mohamed Salah's departure, Iraola explicitly confirmed: "We definitely need to sign a winger."
• Defensive Depth Concerns: The extended absence of Conor Bradley has left Liverpool short on the right side of defense. While Iraola expressed absolute faith in a healthy Bradley, he admitted the squad is currently "very thin" defensively.
• Mac Allister & Alisson Futures Firmly Secured

Amid intense Spanish media speculation linking Alexis Mac Allister with a move to Real Madrid, Iraola pushed back forcefully against any notion of losing his key midfielders:

"I think Alexis has been one of the best at this club in years, look at the World Cup it's normal other clubs want the best players. Other clubs want my good players, but I am looking to sign players rather than lose the ones we have here."

Similarly, Iraola poured cold water on speculation surrounding Alisson Becker, underscoring the veteran goalkeeper's vital role as a dressing room reference point alongside Giorgi Mamardashvili and Armin.

• Dominik Szoboszlai's Leadership & The Armband

Following news of Dominik Szoboszlai signing a new long-term deal through 2031, Iraola hailed the midfielders influence on and off the pitch:

• Setting the Standard: Iraola described Szoboszlai's contract extension as "the greatest news since I arrived," praising his work ethic as an example for younger players.
• Vice-Captaincy Decision: Iraola stated that formal captaincy and vice-captaincy decisions will be finalized once the entire squad is reassembled in person, noting that leadership extends far beyond who wears the armband on matchdays.

6. Facing Off Against Childhood Friends

On a personal note, Iraola smiled when asked about competing against Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso in the elite managerial ranks.

Having grown up playing together in the Basque Country from the age of seven on the famous Antiguoko youth team, Iraola acknowledged the unique dynamic ahead:

"A very good friends since 7, 8, 9 we played in the same team. Competition will be hard. They are very good coaches, we are in charge of very good clubs, so we will not communicate as much!"

Primary Sources

• Media Briefing: Andoni Iraola Pre-Season Press Conference (Chicago, USA)
• Reporting: The Athletic / Liverpool Echo (Paul Gorst, James Pearce)