Andoni Iraola's first pre-season as Liverpool head coach is set to be a busy one, with several key issues to address. The Basque coach has his work cut out, but his reputation for improving young players bodes well for the club's future.
The £60m Man: Jeremy Jacquet
Iraola's first task is to integrate the new £60m signing, Jeremy Jacquet, into the team. The Frenchman, who turned 21 on Monday, is fresh off shoulder surgery and will be eager to impress. With Giovanni Leoni still recovering from an ACL injury, Jacquet is likely to start alongside Joe Gomez at centre-back during the summer tour. His performances will be crucial, especially given his status as the only summer signing on the tour. Iraola's task is to get Jacquet up to speed quickly, ensuring he can partner Virgil van Dijk in the Premier League. His ability to coax performances out of young defenders at Bournemouth, like Dean Huijsen, who became a Spain international and then a £60m Real Madrid player, is a promising precedent.
Curtis Jones' Future
The future of Curtis Jones remains uncertain. Liverpool has rebuffed two approaches from Inter, with the second offer falling short of £22m. The valuation gap is significant, and negotiations may be at an impasse. Jones, who has been enjoying a holiday in Mallorca with his fiancée, will return to the AXA Training Centre next week. With Alexis Mac Allister at the World Cup and Ryan Gravenberch on vacation, Jones could get a chance to impress in midfield. However, his lack of game time has raised questions about his future. If he can perform well on the tour, he might secure a place in the team, especially with Mac Allister away. Iraola's internal conversations with Jones will be vital in determining his long-term role at the club.
Rio Ngumoha's Position
Liverpool is considering using Rio Ngumoha as a right-sided attacker, a positional shift from his natural left-wing position. Ngumoha, who enjoyed a breakout summer last year, scoring his first Premier League goal at 17, has impressed the club with his rapid progress. He has become an England international and a regular starter for Liverpool. However, his lack of senior experience compared to other targets like Bradley Barcola makes this a strategic move. Iraola's reputation for improving young forwards at Bournemouth, like Eli Junior Kroupi, Rayan, and Antoine Semenyo, suggests he can reshape Ngumoha into a different type of winger. This positional tweak could be a key part of Liverpool's strategy to unlock the potential of £125m striker Alexander Isak and create more high-value chances for the Sweden international.
Iraola's first pre-season will be a challenging but exciting period for Liverpool, with several key decisions to be made and young players eager to prove themselves.
