With confirmation that Liverpool have secured the services of former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola as the replacement for the recently fired Arne Slot, we can now look ahead to what this means.
The Spaniard oversaw constant progression and growth with the Cherries, culminating in a sixth place league finish this season and a spot in Europe next campaign. He did this while playing an intense and aesthetically pleasing style of football.
His tactics encourages a high-pressing mindset, where the forwards and wingers try and push the envelope as much as they can. His sides are quick in transition, and push vertically whenever possible.
Unlike the slower and more methodical system under Slot, Liverpool should look closer to the version we have seen over the last eight or so years, with some tactical tweaks here and there.
This nonstop pressure requires a lot of stamina and desire, but the rewards have a very high ceiling, especially with some of the talent already at Anfield. With that in mind, these Reds could level up under Iraola starting next season.
Milos Kerkez
We'll start with a clear one, as Kerkez shined for two seasons under Iraola at Bournemouth, where his tenacious attitude and physical gifts saw him quickly rise into the upper echelon of Premier League fullbacks.
Having an extensive knowledge of what will be asked of him, and with Andy Robertson officially departing this summer, the Hungarian will have a clear path to recapturing his top levels.
Iraola wants his fullbacks to push high whenever they can, which is another drastic shift form Slot, who asked Kerkez to reign in his natural pressing instincts.
He should be a key figure down the left flank from day 1 next season, and I'm sure Iraola will rely on the 22-year old to further integrate his system and get his ideas across to the rest of the squad.
A return to the attack-minded Kerkez will bring back a dimension of the Liverpool attack that was missing for most of the 2025/26 season.
Alexis Mac Allister
The Argentinean plateaued this past season, and that is being generous. Following his first two seasons with the club where he was a key cog in the midfield, Mac Allister looked lost this campaign.
However, under Iraola, he will be put back into positions and a mindset that better suits his game and how he wants to attack a match.
We have all seen Macca be a pressing machine, where he wins the ball back and immediately drives the side forward. That is exactly what Iraola will expect from our No. 10. His ability to retain and regain the ball, the technical quality he has on the ball and his tenacious tackling makes him an ideal asset in the newlook Liverpool engine room.
The World Cup winner has a terrific range of passing in his toolbox, and under the Spaniard, he will be encouraged to once again open that for all to see.
However, he will also be asked to snuff out any inevitable counters that come from the bombarding pressing style that the Reds will be implementing.
That's where his reading of the game, which is underrated in my view, can come into play early and often. I think he stands to benefit a lot with the tactical change that is to come at Anfield.
Jeremie Frimpong
Of all the players at Liverpool this season who were ill-suited to the slow, methodical style we saw, Frimpong very well might have suffered the most.
A glance back to his time at Bayer Leverkusen will show you that he wants to run at defenders, get to the byline, cut it back and create havoc in the final third. His overlapping runs were a nightmare for all.
Yet, when he was fit during his debut Reds season, it was clear he did not fully fit what Slot and his staff were trying to do. Some of that was on the player for sure, but with Iraola wanting to push his fullbacks and wingbacks high up the pitch, we should see a better version of the Dutchman.
His erratic form this season cost him a spot on the Netherlands World Cup roster, which should only motivate him even more going into 2026/27.
The quick transitions we will see under Iraola are a perfect fit for the explosive acceleration that Frimpong has, and he could become a menace on the break once again.
Florian Wirtz
We all know the German is still one of the most gifted footballers in the world today. He probably should have had quite a few more assists on his tally if Liverpool had any kind of consistent finishing.
However, he was often played out of position, and took a few months to adjust to the physicality of English football. He looked to have found his groove early in this calendar year, but slowed down as the season progressed.
With the appointment of Iraola, it is likely that Wirtz will be plugged into the No. 10 hole more often than not, where he will be tasked with operating the chaos up top as best he can.
He is a hardworking player for his immense talent, so his pressing work should pay dividends quite often going forward as well. He loves to try and instantly win the ball back in dangerous areas, which already suits the new system perfectly.
His pinpoint passing ability is also going to be essential to making sure breaks get started swiftly, while also capitalizing on overlapping runs wide, angled runs through the middle and more.
The attack could look similar to how Germany wants to operate under Julian Nagelsmann. That's a good thing for Liverpool fans because Wirtz has continued to shine for his country, regardless of his club form.
Rio Ngumoha
The final player who stands to really benefit from the arrival of Andoni Iraola is one of the biggest pieces to the future at Anfield.
Rio had a breakout season in which he scored some fine goals, was a constant danger whenever on the ball, and he eventually forced his way into Slot's lineups more often than not.
The direct attacking style of Ngumoha, where he pushes forward at every opportunity with determination and technical flair should quickly make him a favorite of the new boss. In return, Iraola will encourage his young charge to lean into his instincts, and attack, attack and attack from all angles.
Still at such a young age, playing in a high-intensity system like the one we will see is going to take an adjustment period. But, once he gets his fitness levels perfected, the footballing quality is there.
He should see plenty of 1v1 situations out wide in this setup, and that is exactly where he does his best work with his fancy footwork and understated explosive first steps.
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