Every new manager brings fresh opportunities.
Some players immediately establish themselves as key figures.
Others quietly disappear from the first-team picture.
But perhaps the most fascinating aspect of a managerial change is the unexpected success story that almost nobody saw coming.
So, who could become Liverpool’s biggest surprise player under Andoni Iraola?
There are several strong candidates.
Federico Chiesa
If I had to pick one player, Federico Chiesa would probably top my list.
His first season at Liverpool never really got going.
Injuries, limited opportunities and fierce competition meant he struggled to build any momentum.
But Iraola’s football seems tailor-made for a player like Chiesa.
He wants his wingers to:
● Attack defenders directly.
● Press aggressively.
● Run in behind.
● Play with intensity.
Those have always been Chiesa’s greatest strengths.
If he stays fit, Liverpool supporters could finally see the player they thought they were signing.
Stefan Bajcetic
Another fascinating option is Stefan Bajcetic.
Supporters almost forget how impressive he looked before injuries interrupted his development.
Now fully back in training, he has a genuine opportunity to reintroduce himself under a manager who values energetic, intelligent midfielders.
If Bajcetic can remain fit, he has every chance of becoming one of Liverpool’s most important midfield options this season.
Jeremy Jacquet
Liverpool have invested heavily in Jeremy Jacquet because they clearly believe he has enormous potential.
Many supporters have yet to see him play in a Liverpool shirt, which makes him something of an unknown quantity.
If he adapts quickly to Premier League football, Jacquet could establish himself much sooner than many expect.
Learning alongside Virgil van Dijk should only accelerate his development.
James McConnell
Pre-season has already shown glimpses of why Liverpool rate James McConnell so highly.
He may not generate the same headlines as some of Liverpool’s bigger names, but his composure, intelligence and work ethic appear perfectly suited to Iraola’s demands.
Managers often fall in love with reliable players who consistently follow tactical instructions.
McConnell could become exactly that.
Calvin Ramsay
Perhaps the most unlikely success story would be Calvin Ramsay.
After spending much of the past two years out on loan and battling injuries, many supporters had already written him off.
Yet under Iraola, Ramsay suddenly looks like a player with another opportunity.
His athleticism and attacking instincts fit the new manager’s style.
If he can stay healthy, his Liverpool career may not be over after all.
The Case for Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo deserves a mention too.
He has often divided opinion at Anfield, largely because nobody seems entirely sure what his best position is.
Iraola’s more fluid attacking system could finally solve that problem.
Giving Gakpo greater freedom to drift across the front line rather than asking him to remain fixed in one position may unlock another level in his game.
Every Manager Needs a Surprise Player
Every successful manager has one.
The player nobody expected to become indispensable.
Jürgen Klopp had several.
Players who arrived with modest expectations before becoming fan favourites.
Iraola will almost certainly discover his own version.
Whether it is Chiesa, Bajcetic, Jacquet, McConnell, Ramsay or someone else entirely, one Liverpool player is almost certain to exceed expectations this season.
My Prediction
If I had to predict Liverpool’s biggest surprise player under Andoni Iraola, I would choose Federico Chiesa.
The talent has never disappeared.
He simply needs a manager who trusts him and a system that plays to his strengths.
With Iraola demanding intensity, directness and fearless attacking football, Chiesa finally has the platform to remind everyone why he was once regarded as one of Europe’s finest wide forwards.
If that happens, Liverpool may discover they already had a “new signing” waiting inside the squad all along.
Who do you think will be Liverpool’s biggest surprise player under Andoni Iraola? Let me know in the comments.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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