Liverpool Head Coach Andoni Iraola Speaks on Curtis Jones & Cody Gakpo's Futures Ahead of Newcastle Clash

Iraola's Liverpool play their first game of the competitive season this Sunday with a 16:30 (BST) kick-off against Newcastle at St James' Park. The game promises an intense start to the season for the Reds as the rivalry between the two clubs has been reborn in recent years.

Before the game, Iraola attended his first press conference of the campaign and discussed multiple topics, including transfers, Curtis Jones' exit, and Cody Gakpo's future...

Iraola opened the press conference highlighting his excitement for the start of the competitive season: "I'm looking forward to being there on Sunday and [to] feel the pressure and start a competition".

He discussed expectations for the season and how the "very good players" he already has "give [Liverpool] the chance to fight for everything".

Asked about Liverpool's approach in the transfer market, he said: "I want the players for the first day...but you understand how the competition works, the market is open and you start the competition. We have to adapt as coaches to this situation". 

He outlined Liverpool's philosophy on signings, explaining how "we have to be open-minded in the market to see situations that honestly can improve our team. It's not about signing because we need a player here. No, it's about improving the squad."

Whilst Iraola refused to speak on "players who are not ours", he did elaborate on the situation of Curtis Jones, saying: "I value him [Jones] a lot as a player - it was clear since the beginning for me - but I understood that probably the outcome was going to be what it has been". 

Asked about the transfer speculation surrounding Cody Gakpo, and whether the player was ready to contribute against Newcastle, Iraola said: "Cody is performing really well...and he has been one of our best players in the friendlies, [but] I cannot tell you the starting eleven, the players don't know it, so I will never say it".

Asked later in the press conference about the possibility of Gakpo playing in the No. 9 position, he explained how "we haven't tried it in pre-season because we don't have enough wingers, and we've prioritised that he understands what we need from him from his preferred position as a left winger. But...in certain situations I think he could help us there in the nine position."

The Head Coach speaking about Gakpo in this way makes it feel as though his rumoured move to Tottenham may not be as likely as once thought.

Iraola predicts that Newcastle, under their new manager, Matthias Jaislle, will be "strong in transitions, [with] very fast players up front, [and be a] physical team." 

On Alexander Isak's return to his previous club, he drew parallels with his own experience:

Asked about the importance of keeping Isak fit, Iraola said that it is the "same as [for] other players. Alex is going to be a very important player for us this season", and backed the Swede's current level of fitness, saying, "I want to keep him there as much as we can because we know his level and if we can keep him there, he will score the goals, he will give us lots of things."

Asked about how close the team is to executing his plans, Iraola said that "[they are] probably not 100 percent. But, I'm happy in terms of I think we are in a level where we can compete and we can win games and we can be a good team."

That doesn't mean Iraola thinks Liverpool doesn't need to improve: "We need to improve, definitely, we will improve and we will try to do it as quickly as possible."

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