Iraola Must Lead Liverpool To A Premier League Title Challenge Next Season

Jamie Carragher states that Andoni Iraola must lead Liverpool into a Premier League title race in 2026-27. Carragher argues Liverpool’s standards demand an immediate response after a disappointing 2025-26 season without trophies and a large gap to champions Arsenal.

Iraola agrees a two-year contract at Anfield after Arne Slot is dismissed following the 2025-26 campaign. The Spaniard arrives from Bournemouth, having secured sixth place and Europa League qualification, finishing only three points behind Liverpool’s fourth-placed finish.

Carragher believes a strong transfer window will be crucial, with Liverpool likely to reshape the squad. Carragher tells Sky Sports there can be no slow rebuild and stresses that challenging for the Premier League title must start immediately under Iraola.

"Yes, they can [challenge next season], the former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports. Those days are gone from when I played, when managers came in and it was like a four or five-year project to try and win the league or get close to winning the league. Those days are gone, and I said that when Slot came in. Jurgen Klopp's team finished third, you've got to go for the league. And he won the league. And the same with Iraola. Liverpool finished fifth last season, nowhere near good enough. So I'm not expecting Liverpool to win the league next season, but we're Liverpool. We're going to spend big in the summer. We've got a lot of great players and yes, we've got to challenge."

Liverpool end 2025-26 in fifth with 60 points, 25 behind Arsenal. That total is the lowest for any team finishing fifth or higher since Tottenham’s 60 points in 2006-07. It also matches Liverpool’s 2003-04 return as the joint-fewest to reach the Champions League.

Carragher highlights that Iraola inherits many high-level players despite the slump and expects major summer investment. The new manager’s task is clear: reduce the gap to Arsenal, secure stronger domestic performances and ensure Liverpool compete seriously for the Premier League title.