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 this season. This decision follows the departure of the previous specialist set-piece coach last December. Analyst Lewis Mahoney, who took on increased responsibility for routines in the latter half of last season, will collaborate closely with Elphick and Cooper in the upcoming campaign.
Iraola clarified the specific roles, stating that Elphick will primarily manage defensive set-plays, while Cooper will focus on offensive set-plays. He highlighted their effective work with Mahoney, particularly praising Mahoney’s contributions during the second half of the previous season.
The appointment of Elphick and Cooper, along with 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 physical coach, has 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 then at Bournemouth in 2023.
Iraola emphasised the importance of having his trusted colleagues join him, noting De la Torre’s role extends beyond physical coaching. He described De la Torre as an assistant who understands him well, having worked together for most of Iraola’s coaching career.
Impact of New Appointments
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 via set-pieces, with six other top-flight clubs, including Bournemouth, achieving a better record.
Elphick and Cooper, both former captains for Bournemouth, were academy coaches at the club before being promoted to the senior setup in 2022 under Gary O’Neil. Iraola retained their services when he took over at Bournemouth a year later. He expressed gratitude for their assistance upon his arrival at Bournemouth, especially after an issue concerning his assistant Inigo Perez, who could not secure a work permit to remain in the UK.
Iraola noted that Elphick and Cooper’s experience and understanding of English football culture, player mentality, and training preferences were invaluable. He mentioned Elphick’s playing career, which included stints at Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Huddersfield, as an asset that allows them to connect more closely with players. Iraola stated that their coaching abilities and shared understanding of the game were key reasons for continuing their collaboration at Liverpool.
Player Impressions and Pre-Season Outlook
Joe Gomez, entering his 12th season on Merseyside, shared his initial impressions of Iraola, describing him as a “really nice guy” and commending his work at Bournemouth. Gomez highlighted the importance of pre-season for building a strong foundation for the upcoming campaign, stating that the returning players are “hungry” and “excited” to begin under the new head coach.
Gomez, who is among the more senior figures in the initial group of players back at the AXA Training Centre, reflected on his extensive experience with pre-season preparations. He acknowledged that each pre-season is unique, especially with a new manager, but emphasised his understanding of the club’s dynamics. The mood at the training ground is reportedly high, attributed to both the arrival of the new coach and the recent summer break.
The players’ primary ambition for the season is to have a successful year, enjoy the process, and continuously improve. Gomez underscored 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