Andoni Iraola has turned the Liverpool squad upside down. After only a few weeks in the job, he has blocked as many as four players from leaving Anfield – and ahead of Saturday’s game at Anfield against Fulham, he explains the latest decision.
The Liverpool boss admits that he stopped another player from leaving the club this summer, after what he saw during the first weeks of the season.
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The Reds were criticised for being passive in the transfer market – until they forked out £123m for PSG winger Bradley Barcola. After that, the club came dangerously close to being left with a squad that was far too thin as the deadline approached.
While the senior team remains vulnerable, the worst-case scenario has been avoided by the club not giving the green light for more departures. Now, Iraola reveals that another first-team player could be added to that list.
Blocked Koumas exit
Before Saturday’s Premier League game against Fulham, Iraola explained how he prevented young striker Lewis Koumas from leaving Anfield this summer.
The 20-year-old – the son of former Cardiff, Tranmere and West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas – was expected to leave the club after spending the second half of last season on loan at Hull City.
But Iraola quickly decided that Koumas was getting nowhere under his leadership. It took him less than a week to see him in training before the decision was made.
“I think already the first week I was here, I told the club that he was going to stay for the whole season,” says Iraola.
“I had very few doubts, because he is someone who covers us in seven, in nine, in ten, in eleven. He trains very well, has a good attitude, is a good player and scores goals.
“I like what he gives us. Even in games where we’ve lost, like away to Newcastle, and the other day when we won, I think he helps us in both situations. I’m very happy to have him.
“I think he is very clear about what he has to do, and that is to help the team. Sometimes it will be on the ball, sometimes without the ball, sometimes he will attack the spaces so that others can receive the ball. And he understands this.
“When you have that mentality, it’s usually good for the team.
Four players have been allowed to stay
Koumas is not the first player Iraola has stepped in to keep at Anfield.
Midfielder James McConnell was originally due to be loaned out to Championship side Preston North End this summer, but the transfer was rejected at the last minute. The 21-year-old has not played under Iraola so far, but has been on the bench in three of Liverpool’s four games this season.
According to the Daily Mail, Iraola asked the club to keep McConnell, and he could have an important role as the season progresses and the fixture schedule becomes increasingly tough.
Young striker Jayden Danns also attracted loan interest from Championship club West Bromwich Albion in the summer – but the Reds turned it down. Danns did not play for Liverpool’s first team last season, but after recently returning from a thigh injury, Iraola wanted to integrate him into the first-team squad. He was on the bench during Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
Luke Chambers, 22, was also a potential loan candidate, with several Championship clubs on the pitch. But Iraola decided to keep him after he impressed in the run-up as a centre-back.
He was also on the bench on Wednesday. Although he didn’t come in, Chambers can cover both centre-back and left-back – and could get more chances throughout the season.
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