Andoni Iraola might not have enjoyed the perfect start to life at Liverpool, but Simon Jordan is refusing to lose faith in the Spaniard.
The former Crystal Palace chairman has delivered a strong message to Liverpool supporters, insisting that Iraola needs time to get things right at Anfield.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan said:
“He needs to be given time!”
He also made his confidence in the Liverpool manager perfectly clear:
“He will get Liverpool working… I have a great deal of faith in this guy!”
I have to say, I agree with him.
Liverpool need to give Iraola time
There is no pretending everything has been perfect since Iraola arrived.
Liverpool have had some disappointing results, performances have been inconsistent and there are still obvious weaknesses within the squad.
The defeats against Arsenal and Fenerbahçe were frustrating, particularly the manner in which Liverpool conceded goals in Turkey.
But I don’t believe those results should suddenly put the manager under pressure.
We knew this was going to be a transition period. Iraola inherited a squad that wasn’t perfectly balanced, and he cannot be expected to transform everything overnight.
There are midfield problems that need addressing, questions over certain positions and players who still need to adapt to his demands.
That is going to take time.
Jordan understands what Iraola can bring
One of the most interesting points Jordan made was his confidence in Iraola’s ability to get Liverpool working as a team.
He knows what the Spaniard achieved at Bournemouth, where he built an organised, aggressive and difficult side to play against.
Jordan also highlighted how Iraola handled the departure of important players at Bournemouth without publicly complaining or making excuses.
That is an important quality.
Liverpool need a manager who can work with the resources available, improve players and create a clear identity.
Iraola has already shown that he can do that. The challenge now is doing it at a club where the expectations and pressure are considerably greater.
As Jordan acknowledged, the size of Liverpool could prove challenging, but he clearly believes Iraola has the personality and ability to succeed.
The Crystal Palace victory was important
Liverpool’s recent 3-1 victory away to Crystal Palace was a welcome response after the disappointment of Arsenal and Fenerbahçe.
Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak got the goals, and there were encouraging signs from a team that needed a lift.
It wasn’t a perfect performance, and there is still plenty to improve, but getting back to winning ways was important.
I want to see Liverpool become more consistent, particularly defensively, and I want the midfield to provide better protection and service to the forwards.
Those problems won’t disappear simply because we win one game.
But there are signs of progress, and that is what supporters need to judge over a longer period.
Iraola needs the opportunity to build his own Liverpool team
This is something I have maintained since his appointment.
Iraola needs the freedom to build a team that suits his footballing philosophy.
Liverpool’s midfield is one area that needs serious attention. We need more balance, more defensive strength and players capable of progressing the ball quickly.
There are also decisions to make elsewhere in the squad, and the club cannot expect Iraola to solve every problem without the right backing.
If Liverpool genuinely believe he is the right man to take the club forward, they must support him in the transfer market and give him enough time to implement his ideas.
We cannot keep changing direction every time results become disappointing.
That doesn’t mean Iraola should be immune from criticism. He must get his selections and tactics right, and the players must take responsibility for their performances.
But there is a difference between holding a manager accountable and demanding change before he has had a proper opportunity to build something.
I’m backing Iraola too
I was firmly in favour of moving on from Arne Slot, despite respecting what he achieved by winning the Premier League title.
I believed Liverpool needed a different direction, and I still believe Iraola can provide that.
I’m not expecting him to turn Liverpool into title challengers immediately. Our priorities should be getting back into the Champions League places, competing for trophies and developing a team capable of challenging at the top again.
That is going to require patience.
Simon Jordan has made his position clear, and I share his confidence that Iraola can be a success at Anfield.
Give the man time, back him properly and let him build his own team.
Liverpool supporters have every right to demand better performances, but we also need to recognise that rebuilding a squad and establishing a new identity doesn’t happen overnight.
I’m backing Andoni Iraola to get it right.
By Jamie
(The Kopite View)
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