Liverpool build-up continues before Newcastle opener
The countdown is on with Liverpool facing Newcastle in their opening game of the Premier League season on August 23. It is slowly becoming critical that the Reds act in the transfer window, sooner rather than later, with surgery on their squad still required.
Victor Munoz is the club's only arrival after signing for £34.5 million from Spanish side Osasuna. Losing Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate means Liverpool are in need not only of more personnel but also of experience.
Today's latest sees Iraola give fans a boost with a squad announcement. Elsewhere, the Reds have been backed to launch a spectacular bid for a Premier League star.
Reds' head coach Iraola has confirmed that Victor Munoz, Alisson Becker and Alexis Mac Allister will join up with his squad in the coming weeks. All three have been given extended time off due to their participation in the World Cup, with Munoz and Mac Allister both reaching the final of the tournament with Spain and Argentina, respectively.
Munoz and Alisson are set to report to training this week once the Reds arrive back in England after their pre-season tour of the USA.
On Munoz, Iraola told the club's official website on Saturday:
"Yes, he comes next week. We spoke to him and he wanted also to come a little bit earlier than the three weeks that they have the right to have, because obviously he is coming to a new club, he will need some time to adapt, to meet his teammates. We will have him next week as soon as we arrive there, basically. It’s good news."
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Iraola added:
"Yes, Alisson will be there from the first day. He was arriving to AXA a little bit later than Cody [Gakpo] and Virgil [van Dijk]. But he will be [there] since the first day that we arrive and will start training there in Liverpool.
Addressing Mac Allister's return, the Basque head coach said the midfielder will return around August 9, the date Liverpool play Monaco in a pre-season fixture.
"Alexis will have, I think, until the Monaco game. I think deserved holidays for him; long season, long World Cup, played until the final, has played a lot of minutes. I hope he comes fully recovered and he enjoys also the break that he definitely has earned."
Former Liverpool star Vladimir Smicer has instructed Liverpool to move for Bournemouth's £80m-rated midfielder Alex Scott. The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, who have already had a bid of around £65m turned down for the player.
Smicer, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, believes Iraola's relationship with Scott, with the Basque previously coaching Scott on the South Coast, could sweeten a deal should Liverpool move for the player.
"I think you can expect Andoni Iraola would like to take Alex Scott because he knows what he can do," Smicer said, via Casinostugan.
"To be honest, in midfield we need a bit more spark with people who are fighting but are clever going forward, turning quickly with the ball and finding strikers. Of course, we expect a lot from (Florian) Wirtz to do this. But Andoni Iraola knows Alex Scott. If the price is right and he sees the possibility to strengthen the team, why not?
" Curtis Jones is linked with a few moves, and if he leaves, we need midfield press. We don't know what's happening with (Alexis) Mac Allister, he had a bit of a weak season and was not at the same level. (Ryan) Gravenberch had a good start, but then it was not the best. Only (Dominik) Szoboszlai was a top player in midfield for the whole season.
"In midfield you need competition, and Scott can be a great asset because he's only twenty-two and is playing regularly for the England youth teams. He's a good prospect and a local guy from the UK.
"These things are important. I don't know if he would love to play for Liverpool, but not many players would turn them down. He's got a good chance now because Andoni Iraola is the new manager. If he likes him, I think we can find the money."
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Background on Liverpool's recent transfer and squad updates
Our own earlier coverage has already tracked how Iraola has been shaping the Liverpool rebuild. In Iraola outlines Liverpool plan as Maghnes Akliouche pursuit takes shape, published 2026-07-25, he began Liverpool pre-season with two new signings, confirmed Pablo de la Torre as No. 2, and got a fresh update on Maghnes Akliouche.
We also reported in Liverpool's 2026/27 dream squad as Rayan arrives and £111m double deal is sealed, published 2026-07-24, that Liverpool's dream 2026/27 squad was taking shape with Rayan, a £111million double deal and potential sales of Chiesa, Elliott, Endo and Tsimikas.
More recently, Andoni Iraola sets out Liverpool stance on Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson Becker, published 2026-07-22, said Iraola wanted to keep Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson Becker, while admitting Liverpool were very thin in defence ahead of their US pre-season tour.
We also noted in Liverpool confirm Alejandro Rosalen arrival as Yan Diomande transfer twist emerges, published 2026-07-21, that Liverpool had confirmed Alejandro Rosalen as first-team goalkeeping coach, while Yan Diomande could yet change his mind over a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
