Liverpool’s new manager Andoni Iraola will be keeping a close eye on the impressive performances of two of the club’s biggest-ever signings at the World Cup.
Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak both struggled in their first seasons at Liverpool
Andoni Iraola’s emotions must be like clothes in a washing machine.
Because watching the opening week of the World Cup will leave you feeling sick to your stomach with a mixture of excitement and anger.
Was Florian Wirtz the same midfielder he inherited at Liverpool, who ran through Germany’s opening game with class and distinction?
And who is this deadly forward that Sweden is adding to their team, Alexander Isak?
Isak’s performance in Sweden’s destruction of Tunisia will be a new experience for supporters of a club that Iraola has just taken over.
If Iraola is using the tournament as a fact-finding mission, he’s always learning something new.
Potential answers to some of the most problematic questions he has now chosen to accept one of the most demanding managerial roles in club football.
Intelligence is closing in on him from every angle. But can he use it to his advantage in his quest to win the team back to Liverpool supporters?
It remains Wirtz’s biggest and most expensive challenge. It’s a square peg in a round hole at Anfield, but a key cog in a potentially well-oiled international machine in the shape of Julian Nagelsmann’s German uniform.
Florian Wirtz impressed at Germany’s World Cup opener
Slott made Wertz the most expensive signing of any English player at £116 million, and snatched away the deal from Isak a few weeks later. But Wirtz proved it was about as cost-effective as a trip to one of the FIFA World Cup’s “fan zones.”
The solution may be simple.
Nagelsmann uses Wirtz on the left side. He had almost 40 touches in the final third against Curaçao, one of which set up his team’s opening goal. It was a simple but noble contribution.
Worts need to feel comfortable and calm. He needs to know that those around him bring out the best in him. He likes to drift in from the left to find space and pose a danger to the defense.
He sees goals conceded and opportunities. Coach Iraola is hopeful that Isaac will get a chance next season.
Alexander Isak was great as Sweden beat Tunisia
Isak is a different equation, but still a problem to solve. The Swede cost a fortune, but once he was fit he was a cheap performer.
Iraola will be thrilled to see Isak put in the kind of performance that convinced Liverpool to spend £125m on the player who was on strike at Newcastle.
And he paid the price. He was threatening Tunisia. He looks fast, healthy, and fresh and is back to being his natural forward.
Andoni Iraola hopes his two most expensive players can continue next season (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Iraora will be hoping this continues. He will never admit it, but the Spaniard will be hoping Isak uses the biggest stage to redeem himself before taking those feelings back to Anfield.
Forward requires one type of fuel. Confidence. And with Hugo Ekitike out until 2027 with an Achilles problem, Liverpool need Isaac now more than ever.
It remains to be seen which versions of Wirtz and Isak will feature when the new Premier League season begins. But from recent evidence, Mr Iraola knows there is no reason why current members cannot be welcomed.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with Sky Glass ‘designed for soccer’
From £4.50
sky
Get the deal here
Sky is marking the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 20% discount on its entire range of glass TVs. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to a Sky smart TV ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 a month when taken with a Sky TV and Netflix package.
