Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is excited about the new Premier League season which for them starts at Newcastle on Sunday.
The 44-year-old Spaniard took over as head coach in June, having previously impressed at Bournemouth where he'd been for three years.
"We've been preparing friendlies, we've been preparing for other opposition but this smells different and looking forward to be there on Sunday and feel the pressure and start the competition," said Iraola at his pre-match media conference.
Not only are Liverpool starting the season with a new head coach but they've lost a number of experienced players such as Mo Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konaté.
After winning the Premier League in 2025 in Arne Slot's first season in charge, Liverpool sacked the Dutchman in May after a fifth place finish.
Now Iraola, who led Bournemouth last season to sixth in the table - their highest ever finish - is the man charged with improving Liverpool's fortunes.
Iraola said he'd been "really happy with the players in pre-season" but the team was not yet where he wanted it to be.
"I'm happy in terms of I think we are in a level where we can compete and we can win games and we can be still a good team. That we need to improve - definitely.
"We will improve and we will try to do it as quickly as possible. But there are always like processes, and I think pre-season always is you never know where you are."
New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is excited about the new Premier League season which for them starts at Newcastle on Sunday.
The 44-year-old Spaniard took over as head coach in June, having previously impressed at Bournemouth where he'd been for three years.
"We've been preparing friendlies, we've been preparing for other opposition but this smells different and looking forward to be there on Sunday and feel the pressure and start the competition," said Iraola at his pre-match media conference.
Not only are Liverpool starting the season with a new head coach but they've lost a number of experienced players such as Mo Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konaté.
After winning the Premier League in 2025 in Arne Slot's first season in charge, Liverpool sacked the Dutchman in May after a fifth place finish.
Now Iraola, who led Bournemouth last season to sixth in the table - their highest ever finish - is the man charged with improving Liverpool's fortunes.
Iraola said he'd been "really happy with the players in pre-season" but the team was not yet where he wanted it to be.
"I'm happy in terms of I think we are in a level where we can compete and we can win games and we can be still a good team. That we need to improve - definitely.
"We will improve and we will try to do it as quickly as possible. But there are always like processes, and I think pre-season always is you never know where you are."
