Iraola’s coaching staff takes shape
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper will oversee the club’s set-pieces for the upcoming season. The appointments follow the departure of the previous specialist set-piece coach last December. Analyst Lewis Mahoney, who took on increased responsibility for routines in the latter half of last season, will collaborate closely with Elphick and Cooper.
Iraola clarified the specific roles of his new coaches, stating, “Tommy is more in charge of the defensive set-plays, Shaun is more the offensive set-plays.” He also praised their work with Mahoney, noting Mahoney’s effectiveness in the second half of the previous season.
The decision to bring Elphick and Cooper to Liverpool was a key part of Iraola’s discussions with sporting director Richard Hughes regarding his succession. The trio, along with assistant coach Pablo de la Torre, previously worked together at Bournemouth. De la Torre, a Spanish fitness coach, shares a long-standing professional relationship with Iraola, dating back eight years to their time at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus. Their collaboration continued at Rayo Vallecano in 2020 and then at Bournemouth in 2023.
Iraola emphasised the importance of his trusted staff joining him, stating, “For me, it was important they all came with me.” He described De la Torre as “much more than a physical coach,” considering him an assistant who understands him well due to their extensive history together.
Focus on set-piece improvement
Liverpool‘s performance in set-piece situations last season indicated room for improvement. The club conceded 23 Premier League goals from set-pieces, with only Leeds United (24), Crystal Palace (25), and Bournemouth (26) conceding more. Offensively, Liverpool scored 19 league goals from set-pieces, a figure surpassed by six other top-flight clubs, including Bournemouth, who scored 20.
Elphick and Cooper, both former captains of Bournemouth, were initially academy coaches at the club before being promoted to the senior setup under manager Gary O’Neil in 2022. When Iraola took over 12 months later, he retained their services. Iraola expressed his fortune in having them at Bournemouth, especially after an issue with his assistant Inigo Perez, who could not secure a work permit to remain in the UK.
Iraola noted that Elphick and Cooper’s presence meant there was no need to seek another assistant. He highlighted their preparedness and helpfulness in aiding his understanding of English football culture, player mentality, and training preferences, which he observed differed from practices in Spain. Elphick’s playing career, which included spells at Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Huddersfield, allows both coaches to connect more closely with the players. Iraola mentioned that his own age means some players might not even be aware of his playing background.
He concluded by stating, “They’ve been very good for me. They are good coaches, we understand the game similarly, and they have different roles in the coaching staff, with the help they give me with set-pieces. That’s the reason why I continued with them.”
Player impressions and pre-season preparations
Meanwhile, Joe Gomez, who is entering his 12th season on Merseyside, shared his impressions of the new head coach. He described Iraola as a “really nice guy” and praised his work at Bournemouth, noting how he got the team to perform. Gomez conveyed that the returning players are “hungry” and “excited” to approach pre-season under Iraola’s leadership.
The initial group of players has returned to the AXA Training Centre this week after the summer break. Gomez underlined the importance of this period for establishing a strong foundation for the season, stating it is crucial for adapting and maintaining health. He also reflected on his role as a senior figure within the returning group, acknowledging that it is a role he has grown into over time. Gomez mentioned that while senior players like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker are yet to return, he is currently among the older players present. The mood at the training ground is described as high, attributed to both the new coach and the recent break.
Gomez also spoke about the ambitions for the upcoming season, focusing on having a good year, enjoying the process, and continuous improvement. He emphasised the importance of learning and progressing throughout the journey. The team’s pre-season matches in the USA are available for ticket purchase.
Source: nytimes.com
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”