Andoni Iraola, di new Liverpool coach, don yarn about how di team dey prepare for di new season. Di Spanish gaffer wey come from Bournemouth say im dey happy with di pre-season tour for United States. Liverpool don play two games so far, beat Sunderland for Nashville and Wrexham for New York. Next up na Leeds United for Soldier Field for Chicago on Sunday.
Iraola talk about how im don grow as coach since last year when im dey with Bournemouth for di same city. Im say, ‘I dey better now, get more Premier League experience, but di challenge different because expectations high, players better. I fit adapt tactically to new things.’ Im say di pre-season dey go well, but still need to integrate senior players wey dey come back gradually.
For Florian Wirtz, Iraola reveal say dem go use am behind di striker. Im say, ‘We need di best version of Flo. He fit play for left side like for Germany, but we go start am for dat number ten position. He dey complete, we go add more to im game. He dey mentally ready and go start strong.’
About Joe Gomez injury, Iraola admit say di defence dey thin. Im say, ‘We no get Virgil van Dijk now. Di only real centre-backs be Mor N’Diaye and Ife Ndukwe, both 18 years. Luke Chambers play der against Wrexham but im no be centre-back. We go manage until we get players back. Jeremy Jacquet dey ready, Virgil go return, but di young boys don show composure for di games.’
Iraola praise Chicago as good training base. Im say, ‘I dey happy to come back. Di city fine, facilities good, fans respectful, but Liverpool bigger than Bournemouth. We go finish well against Leeds, no long travel after di storm.’
For Rio Ngumoha wey play right side against Wrexham, Iraola explain say im dey encourage wingers to play both sides. ‘Our team no dey symmetric. Sometimes one winger get more defensive work. If you fit play both sides, you go get more minutes. In pre-season, I dey see where dem comfortable. Even during matches, we swap wingers. Versatility help us.’
Iraola also talk about Alexander Isak. Im say, ‘Alex dey good form, im play well for World Cup. Im just start training, but I expect am to get minutes against Leeds. He go be important for us dis season.’
Di coach touch on di August transfer window. Im say, ‘Even if we get di full squad, e go take time. I no like August because uncertainty, players fit go, new ones fit come. September 1 na better day because everything set. But we go cope, same for all teams.’
Finally, Iraola mention say some young players don surprise am. ‘Many I no know before, dem show high level for friendlies. Dem still get room to grow. Senior players wey come back from World Cup go help integrate di young ones.’
Di second source confirm say Liverpool dey rebuild under Iraola. Dem don sign Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Muñoz, but need more depth for attack after Mohamed Salah leave and Hugo Ekitiké long injury. Defence also get issues, Ibrahima Konaté join Real Madrid. Di club dey look for Yan Diomande or Bradley Barcola, but no deal close yet.
