Liverpool enter 2026-27 season with five big questions under new boss Iraola

Liverpool enter the 2026-27 season with high hopes and no shortage of challenges under new head coach Andoni Iraola. The Spanish manager is expected to bring high-tempo attacking football to erase the image of a side that was expensive but underwhelming last season.

The new season kicks off on August 21 as champions Arsenal host newly promoted Coventry City. Liverpool begin with a trip to Newcastle United two days later, where fans will get their first look at the Spaniard's approach.

Here are the five biggest questions surrounding Liverpool ahead of the new campaign.

Can Iraola revive title ambitions and stamp his own style?

Liverpool won the Premier League by a wide margin in 2024-25, but last season they finished fifth, conceding 53 goals and losing 12 matches. That collapse led to Arne Slot's dismissal.

Iraola arrived from Bournemouth after three impressive years built on high-intensity pressing, drawing comparisons to Jurgen Klopp's peak era. Some fans hope a return to that style will suit a squad that often looked lost under Slot's possession-based approach.

However, Iraola's methods demand exceptional fitness. He admitted during pre-season that players cannot yet sustain the intensity he wants for a full match.

“We have to be a team that works hard, is strong, aggressive, and has depth so people can identify with and feel comfortable supporting this team,” Iraola said at his unveiling press conference in June.

Who fills the void left by Salah?

Mohamed Salah's departure after nine years, punctuated by a public rift with the club during a disappointing season, closed a glorious chapter of goals in Liverpool's history.

Instead of buying a direct replacement, Liverpool signed Spanish striker Victor Munoz, 23, to add depth across the front line and wings, while academy products like Rio Ngumoha are competing for starting spots. Jeremie Frimpong operated on the right last season but was largely ineffective. So the stage is set for a breakout campaign from either Munoz or Ngumoha.

Can Iraola unlock the best of Isak and Wirtz?

Record signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were expected to help Liverpool defend their title but endured injury-hit, inconsistent campaigns. Both are fit again and back in pre-season training. In theory, Iraola's style could harness Wirtz's work rate and provide Isak with the service he thrived on at Newcastle.

If the duo clicks, Liverpool would justify last season's heavy spending and a relatively quiet summer transfer window. If they struggle again, the club's recruitment strategy will face serious questions.

Is the leaky defense patched up?

The defense was a major factor in last season's collapse and needs urgent repair from Iraola. He brought in center-back Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona to partner captain Virgil van Dijk, alongside young French defender Jeremy Jacquet, while inconsistent Ibrahima Konate departed.

Right-back remains a problem: Frimpong had injury and form issues last term, Conor Bradley dealt with fitness problems, leaving Iraola without a clear specialist option. Left-back Milos Kerkez is expected to improve after a muted season, and Liverpool will miss the experience of the departed Andy Robertson.

Iraola's high defensive line raises major questions about pace and positioning, and he has little time to fix it.

Van Dijk believes the club's new defense needs time to operate smoothly.

“Obviously you need to build that connection and it takes a little bit of time. But in my opinion, that's completely normal. Hopefully we'll do that soon,” he said.

What does Bezos' investment mean for the club?

Fenway Sports Group has agreed to sell about 38% of Liverpool to 1892 Holdings, a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, and the Mittal family, in a deal valuing the club at over $7 billion.

FSG retains majority ownership and operational control, but the consortium has an option to become the controlling shareholder within the next year at a valuation near $8 billion.

The timing—just as Iraola begins his rebuild and after a relatively frugal summer compared to last year's massive outlay—has fueled speculation about fresh investment for the January or next summer transfer windows.