After a nightmare year at Anfield under Arne Slot, far more is expected of Liverpool in the 2026/27 season.
After leading the Reds to the Premier League title in his debut season on Merseyside, Slot was unable to build on his success. He lost his job in May – after only finishing in a disappointing fifth place.
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Now Andoni Iraola is the new boss of Liverpool after his impressive job at Bournemouth. He is the one who has been given the task of bringing the club back into the title race.
Liverpool have so far signed talented youngsters such as Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz, as well as Austrian centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe (18) from Austria Vienna.
Supporters are still hoping for more signings – Iraola needs a squad that can fight on all four fronts.
Player offered to Liverpool
According to Alex Crook of talkSPORT, Liverpool have been offered PSG defender Illia Zabarnyi.
The “incredible” Ukrainian joined the Champions League winners from Bournemouth in August last year – but already now a farewell from the French capital could be on the cards.
Zabarnyi, who cost PSG £57 million, started 26 of 34 league games in Ligue 1, but struggled with far less game time in the Champions League.
Crook also claims that Chelsea have been offered the 23-year-old – meaning Liverpool will have a fight for the signature if they go for Zabarnyi.
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Why Liverpool need a stopper
The Reds lost centre-back Ibrahima Konaté to Real Madrid on a free transfer on July 1, after his contract expired.
Talented Jacquet has come in as a replacement, but Liverpool may still need one extra option at stopper – one of the most important positions on the pitch.
A move to Liverpool would also mean a reunited partnership between Zabarnyi and Iraola as the two worked closely together at Bournemouth.
Zabarnyi was a key piece in Iraola’s Bournemouth team, and it was precisely his solid performances at the back that earned him the dream transfer to PSG.
Iraola’s words about Zabarnyi
In February 2025, the Spaniard gave an insight into how Zabarnyi became such an important player for him:
“Zaba is even easier to explain, I think. I’m not sure if we decided to replace him for a single minute during the time I’ve been here,” Iraola told the Daily Echo.
“It basically says everything about the trust we have in him – how reliable and robust he is. He is a player who is very easy to train.
“As a coach, he follows along. He comes every day with a fantastic attitude. I have also enjoyed his development. When I arrived, he was already a great player, but quite shy.
“He didn’t talk much. Now you see him controlling everything from behind, shouting to those in front and asking for the others. It shows how he is developing and becoming an increasingly important player – also for us.
“I love him personally and as a player.
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