Liverpool F.C. is hoping for a bounce-back campaign as they begin life under Andoni Iraola with the 2026/27 Premier League season. After winning the English top flight title two seasons ago, last year was a slog, as they barely clung to Champions League qualification with a fifth-placed finish, 25 points behind title-winners Arsenal. That cost Arne Slot his job, just a year on from lifting the domestic league trophy.
The most pressing lineup question for Andoni Iraola to answer ahead of the 2026/27 season is how he will formulate his attack behind the now-healthy Alexander Isak. Cody Gakpo, who spent large portions of last season as a central striker, appears to be on track to lock down the starting left-wing position. On the right, replacing the departed Salah, it will be either Dominik Szoboszlai to bring Curtis Jones or Alexis Mac Allister into midfield, or young Rui Ngumoha with Szoboszlai dropping into midfield.
Why it matters for Liverpool FC
Iraola's biggest task in his first season as manager will be how to get the best out of Florian Wirtz. The German international didn't have a poor first season at Anfield, but it wasn't exactly an explosive arrival for Wirtz either. He will need to be put in the right position to succeed if he is to continue improving at his Premier League home.
It will be interesting to see how Iraola uses Alexis Mac Allister in midfield as well. The 27-year-old had an extremely poor season last year, but appeared revived at the World Cup this past summer with Argentina. Will he be pipped by either Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones in the middle, or will he reclaim his starting spot at the club level?
Liverpool projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alisson (GK) - J. Frimpong, J. Jacquet, V. van Dijk, M. Kerkez - D. Szoboszlai, R. Gravenberch - R. Ngumoha, F. Wirtz, C. Gakpo - A. Isak.
Liverpool second XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): G. Mamardashvili (GK) - C. Bradley, R. Araujo, G. Leoni, K. Tsimikas - A. Mac Allister, C. Jones - F. Chiesa, H. Elliott, V. Munoz - H. Ekitike.
The most pressing lineup question for Andoni Iraola to answer ahead of the 2026/27 season is how he will formulate his attack behind the now-healthy Alexander Isak. Cody Gakpo, who spent large portions of last season as a central striker, appears to be on track to lock down the starting left-wing position. On the right, replacing the departed Salah, it will be either Dominik Szoboszlai to bring Curtis Jones or Alexis Mac Allister into midfield, or young Rui Ngumoha with Szoboszlai dropping into midfield.
Iraola's biggest task in his first season as manager will be how to get the best out of Florian Wirtz. The German international didn't have a poor first season at Anfield, but it wasn't exactly an explosive arrival for Wirtz either. He will need to be put in the right position to succeed if he is to continue improving at his Premier League home.
It will be interesting to see how Iraola uses Alexis Mac Allister in midfield as well. The 27-year-old had an extremely poor season last year, but appeared revived at the World Cup this past summer with Argentina. Will he be pipped by either Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones in the middle, or will he reclaim his starting spot at the club level?
Andoni Iraola tactics, style of play
As a player at Athletic Club, where he spent 12 years and made over 400 appearances, Iraola served under the great Marcelo Bielsa and his high-intensity, high-pressing football. The best teams from Bilbao were also famed for their rugged physicality on the pitch. That aggression and willingness to fight were hallmarks of Iraola's time at Bournemouth, and will certainly come with him to Anfield as well. Iraola typically played a 4-2-3-1 system, but this usually morphs into a 3-2-5 in possession. Both full-backs are tasked with providing attacking width on the ball side plus a holding midfield slot in between the two centre-backs on the off side. Although Iraola encourages his teams to build from the back, he
