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. The team had been without a dedicated set-piece coach since December. Analyst Lewis Mahoney, who took on more responsibility for routines in the latter half of last season, will collaborate closely with Elphick and Cooper.
Iraola specified that Elphick will primarily manage defensive set-plays, while Cooper will focus on offensive set-plays. He noted their effective work with Mahoney, highlighting Mahoney’s contributions in the previous season.
Last season, Liverpool conceded 23 Premier League goals from set-pieces. Only Leeds United, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth allowed more goals from such situations. Offensively, Liverpool scored 19 league goals from set-pieces, with six other top-flight clubs, including Bournemouth, achieving better figures.
Continuity and Experience
The inclusion of Elphick, Cooper, and assistant coach Pablo de la Torre was a key factor for Iraola during his discussions with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes. De la Torre, a Spanish fitness coach, has a long-standing professional relationship with Iraola, dating back to their time together at AEK Larnaca eight years ago. They later reunited at Rayo Vallecano in 2020 and then at Bournemouth in 2023.
Iraola emphasised the importance of having his trusted colleagues join him, describing De la Torre as more than just a physical coach due to his extensive history and understanding of Iraola’s coaching approach. Elphick and Cooper, both former Bournemouth captains, were academy coaches at Bournemouth before being promoted to the senior setup in 2022 under manager Gary O’Neil. Their services were retained when Iraola took over 12 months later.
Iraola expressed his appreciation for Elphick and Cooper, noting their preparedness and helpfulness in adapting to English football culture and player mentality. He mentioned that their playing experience, including Elphick’s time with Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Huddersfield, allows them to connect more closely with the players. This connection, combined with their coaching abilities and shared understanding of the game, was a significant reason for Iraola to continue working with them.
Player Impressions and Pre-Season Outlook
Meanwhile, Joe Gomez, who is entering his 12th season on Merseyside, shared his initial impressions of Iraola. Speaking from the AXA Training Centre, Gomez described Iraola as a “really nice guy” and highlighted his impressive work at Bournemouth. He noted that the returning players are “hungry” and “excited” for the pre-season under the new head coach.
Gomez underlined the importance of pre-season for building a strong foundation for the upcoming campaign. He mentioned that while every pre-season is different, the arrival of a new manager is a significant change. As a senior figure in the initial group of returning players, Gomez expressed his enjoyment of the role, particularly before the return of players like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker. The mood at the training ground is reportedly high, attributed to both the new manager and the recent summer break.
The team’s ambition for the season is to have a good year, enjoy the process, and continuously improve. Gomez stressed the importance of learning and progressing throughout the journey.
The first group of Liverpool players returned to the AXA Training Centre this week following their summer break.
Source: nytimes.com
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Charlie Bradshaw is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with ten years of reporting experience. He covered Merseyside football before going national. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Liverpool John Moores University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Liverpool, he watches non-league sides and collects old match programmes. “The back page is only ever half the story.”