Andoni Iraola is just weeks into his Liverpool tenure, but he already has something neither Arne Slot nor Jurgen Klopp ever enjoyed: two World Cup winners in his squad at the same time. New signing Victor Munoz, who was part of Spain's victorious 2026 World Cup side despite injury, joins Alexis Mac Allister – Argentina's 2022 champion – to give the Reds their first double world champion roster since Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres in 2010. It is also the first time Liverpool have had World Cup winners from two different countries simultaneously.
Yet Iraola is fighting to keep that pair together. Mac Allister, 27, has two years left on the five-year contract he signed in 2023 and has not begun talks over a new deal, sparking speculation he could leave this summer. 'I think Alexis has been one of the best players at the club for the last few years,' Iraola said from Liverpool's pre-season tour in Chicago. 'It is normal that other clubs want our best players. But I want to keep my good players.'
“Iraola has two World Cup winners but admits defensive depth is 'very thin' after Conor Bradley injury.”
Alisson, 33, has one year left and has been linked with Juventus. Iraola wants the Brazilian's experience to guide a changing room that has 'lost some references'. 'Alisson is someone that definitely will help us in this process of adaptation of the new signings, the young players,' he added.
While Iraola banks on his World Cup winners, he acknowledged a defensive crisis. Conor Bradley sustained a knee injury in January and is 'months' away from playing, leaving right-back cover thin. 'If you have a fully fit, healthy Conor Bradley, we are very happy,' Iraola explained. 'But right now he is still a little bit far from returning. With the centre-back, with the right-back situation, in terms of defensive depth, we are very thin right now. It's a solution that we are trying to find.'
Liverpool have confirmed a third signing of the summer – a young star who caught the club's eye in May – as Iraola seeks to strengthen. But with Mac Allister and Alisson yet to commit, and a defence stretched by injury, the new manager's rebuild is already facing its first test.