What are the problems Andoni Iraola needs to solve at Liverpool?

It's official, Andoni Iraola is the new Liverpool manager, replacing Arne Slot who was sacked at the end of May.  

Signing a two-year contract, Iraola arrives at Anfield after impressing with Bournemouth, where last season he led the Cherries to sixth in the Premier League and secured European football for the first time in the club's history. 

Expectations will be significantly greater at Liverpool, and after a torrid 2025/26 campaign, Iraola has a job on his hands to rebuild and get Liverpool challenging for trophies once more. 

Here, DAZN News takes a look at the problems Iraola needs to solve as Liverpool manager. 

Improve weak Liverpool defence and find next Van Dijk

Liverpool's inability to keep the ball out of the back of their own net was their downfall last season. 

In the Premier League alone, Liverpool conceded 53 goals, and that's simply too many. 

The club's back four is going to look very different with Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konate leaving, so it will be interesting to see how Iraola models the defence in his image. 

Captain Virgil van Dijk will be at the centre of it, but with the Dutchman turning 35 in July, one eye needs to be looking at who will eventually replace him at centre back.

Bring fresh energy to Liverpool, and possibly sign one or two Bournemouth players

While Iraola may not be a manager who is very hands-on with transfers, he will no doubt know who he will want to bring to Liverpool, and it could involve poaching some players from former employers Bournemouth. 

As previously mentioned, a new centre back needs to be brought in, not only to fill the hole left by Konate, but also as a Van Dijk replacement. 

Bournemouth centre back Marcos Senesi would be the perfect candidate, but Iraola and Liverpool will have a fight on their hands with the Argentine being heavily linked to Tottenham Hotspur. 

DAZN/FIFA

There is also the issue of finding a replacement for Mohamed Salah, and Bournemouth may also have the answer for Iraola's Liverpool in the form of the young Brazilian striker Rayan.

He only arrived in England at the start of the year, but Rayan has already made himself a serious goal threat and his five goals in 15 appearances have seen him earn a place in Brazil's World Cup squad. 

Make Anfield a cauldron once again 

The atmosphere created by Liverpool fans inside Anfield is one of the best in football, and it can often play a huge part in season-defining matches.

However, this historic ground can only be made into a cauldron if what is being produced on the pitch is energising, and it's safe to Slot failed at this. 

Iraola's style of play is one of high intensity, with a big focus on attack, and if the Spaniard can successfully apply his philosophy, the fans will respond and make Anfield an impenetrable fortress once more.

Watch World Cup archive, highlights and documentaries for FREE on DAZN

DAZN is the home of FIFA+ , a vast library of football on-demand content including World Cup archive, iconic documentaries, player profiles, live matches and both full match replays and highlights.

Watch it all for FREE on DAZN on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles and web browsers.