Iraola’s Coaching Staff Decisions
Andoni Iraola, the new head coach for Liverpool, has confirmed that Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper will oversee the club’s set-pieces for the upcoming season. This decision follows the departure of the previous specialist set-piece coach in December. The club’s set-piece performance, both offensively and defensively, reportedly saw improvement in the latter half of last season with analyst Lewis Mahoney taking on increased responsibilities. Mahoney is expected to collaborate closely with Elphick and Cooper in the new campaign.
Iraola elaborated on their roles, stating that Elphick will primarily manage defensive set-plays, while Cooper will focus on offensive routines. He praised their work with Mahoney, highlighting Mahoney’s contributions during the second half of the previous season. The appointment of Elphick and Cooper is part of Iraola’s broader strategy, as he brought them, along with assistant coach Pablo de la Torre, from Bournemouth. This move was a key aspect of his discussions with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes regarding his succession to the head coach position.
De la Torre, a Spanish fitness coach, shares a long-standing professional relationship with Iraola, dating back eight years to their time at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus. Their collaboration continued at Rayo Vallecano in 2020, and De la Torre subsequently joined Iraola at Bournemouth in 2023. Iraola emphasised the importance of his trusted team joining him at Liverpool, describing De la Torre as more than just a physical coach, but an assistant who understands him well.
Impact of New Coaching Appointments
The decision to retain Elphick and Cooper stems from Iraola’s positive experience with them at Bournemouth. Both Elphick and Cooper, who are former Bournemouth captains, had served as academy coaches before their promotion to the senior team under manager Gary O’Neil in 2022. When Iraola took over at Bournemouth a year later, he chose to keep them on his staff. He noted that their presence meant he did not feel the need to bring in another assistant, particularly after an issue with his previous assistant, Inigo Perez, who could not secure a work permit for the UK.
Iraola highlighted their preparedness and helpfulness in understanding English football culture, player mentality, and training preferences, which he noted can differ from practices in Spain. He also mentioned their ability to connect with players due to their own playing careers, with Elphick having played for clubs such as Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Huddersfield. Iraola explained that their shared understanding of the game and their contributions to set-pieces were key reasons for continuing their collaboration at Liverpool.
Liverpool‘s set-piece statistics from the previous season indicate areas for improvement. The team conceded 23 Premier League goals from set-pieces, with only Leeds United (24), Crystal Palace (25), and Bournemouth (26) conceding more. In terms of offensive output, Arne Slot‘s side scored 19 league goals from set-pieces, with six other top-flight clubs achieving better figures, including Bournemouth (20).
Player Impressions and Pre-season Preparations
Meanwhile, Joe Gomez, who is entering his 12th season on Merseyside, shared his impressions of the new head coach and the team’s pre-season outlook. Speaking from the AXA Training Centre, where the first group of players returned after the summer break, Gomez expressed that the returning players are “hungry” and “excited” to approach pre-season with focus under Iraola.
Gomez emphasised the critical role of pre-season in building a strong foundation for the upcoming campaign, stating it is difficult to overstate its importance. He noted that while adapting to new methods, it is crucial to remain healthy and prepared for the season. He also reflected on his role as a senior figure within the returning group, acknowledging that it is a responsibility he has grown into over time. Gomez mentioned that until players like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker return, he is among the more experienced individuals present.
Regarding Iraola, Gomez described him as a “really nice guy” and praised his achievements at Bournemouth, particularly how he managed to get the team to perform. He conveyed the team’s collective anticipation and excitement for working with the new head coach. The mood at the training ground is reportedly high, attributed to both the arrival of the new gaffer and the refreshing summer break. Gomez concluded by stating the team’s ambition for the season is to have a good year, enjoy it, and continuously strive for improvement.
Source: nytimes.com
George Hartwell is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB.org, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with twelve years of reporting experience. He reported on West Country football before national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of the West of England and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Bristol, he watches grassroots football and writes a tactics column. “Tactics tell you more than any scoreline.”