Andoni Iraola speaks out on Liverpool transfer plans after Michael Edwards exit | OneFootball

Andoni Iraola admitted he would like to add more players to his Liverpool squad as quickly as possible at his official unveiling on Monday.

Liverpool bid farewell to Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate at the end of last season, and have only added Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz to their ranks so far this summer, while transfer guru Michael Edwards announced he was leaving the club for the second time last week.

Speaking at his first press conference, Iraola insisted the club is working hard behind the scenes to get more players through the door despite the recent upheaval at Anfield.

"Obviously we've signed two players already but we need more players. We know this. The club is working on this,” Iraola said. “Me, as a coach, selfishly, you want the players here on day one, ready to train for pre-season.

“But we understand that football doesn't work like this and I know that the club is working hard to get those signings and I am trying to help also."

One player who has returned to Liverpool after a nightmare loan spell at Aston Villa last season is Harvey Elliott. Iraola made it clear that the 23-year-old will be given the chance to force his way into his plans.

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Iraola spoke at his official unveiling on Monday (PA Wire)

Asked whether Elliott would get the chance to impress, Iraola responded: "Definitely. Harvey is here with us. I've seen him with this eagerness of showing himself and getting himself ready again. He will have a chance during pre-season. We will need him.

“It's a good sign, he came one week earlier, he has been training with the under 21s. I hope we can see him in a good place.

“Last season had to be very difficult for him. It was a strange situation where they couldn't even put him to play. And I think he uses this, the bad situation he has experienced, to make him even more eager to be a Liverpool player."

Iraola also expressed his desire to embrace the "magic" of being Liverpool's head coach, acknowledging the immense scale of the role as he prepares to officially begin pre-season.

The former Bournemouth boss, who officially commences pre-season on Tuesday with a limited squad due to World Cup commitments, admitted he will only fully grasp the magnitude of the step up from the Cherries once immersed in the Anfield environment.

Despite it being the biggest challenge of his football career, Iraola has vowed to remain true to himself. "I want to think I understand. Probably not until you are here and until you go through certain experiences, I will not fully know but I am here to experience those situations, I am ready for it," he stated during his inaugural press conference.

He acknowledged the intense spotlight that comes with the position. "I understand that this is a massive club, everything that I’m going to say now is going to have the biggest scrutiny, you have to be very aware of the mistakes," Iraola explained. However, he expressed a desire to avoid living in a "bubble," keen to explore the city as well as the club. "But I wouldn’t like to be too careful. I would like to act quite normal, I’m not going to live in my bubble – just training ground, home. I would like to go to the city, experience the city, I know some places, I will have to take some pictures."

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Iraola has replaced Arne Slot (PA Wire)

He added: "But it’s part also of the magic of being the Liverpool manager. I would like not to change too much."

Iraola steps into the role following the departure of Arne Slot, who was dismissed a year after securing the title, with fan sentiment turning against him after a disappointing fifth-place finish.

Addressing supporters, Iraola outlined his vision: "I would like to give them a team that they can feel proud of. I think football – and especially Liverpool – is about connecting: connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters," he continued.

"We have to be a team that works hard – intense, aggressive, so everyone can be identified and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team."