Carragher: Iraola must challenge for Premier League title next season

Jamie Carragher believes Andoni Iraola must challenge for the Premier League title with Liverpool next season.

Iraola was named as Arne Slot’s successor after the Dutchman was sacked at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, signing a two-year deal at Anfield.

The Spaniard joins Liverpool after guiding Bournemouth into the Europa League with a sixth-placed finish last term, finishing just three points behind the Reds in the final Champions League spot.

It was a season to forget for Liverpool, who finished 25 points behind champions Arsenal and won no silverware.

Liverpool’s 60 points were the fewest by a side to finish fifth or higher in the Premier League since Tottenham in 2006-07 (also fifth with 60 points).

Indeed, it was the joint-fewest ever by a side to qualify for the Champions League via their league position in the competition, alongside the Reds themselves in 2003-04.

Nevertheless, Carragher believes Iraola must push for the Premier League title in his first season in charge, especially after what he expects to be a busy transfer window.

“Yes, they can [challenge next season],” the former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports.

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“Those days are gone from when I played, when managers came in and it was like a four or five-year project to try and win the league or get close to winning the league.

“Those days are gone, and I said that when Slot came in. Jurgen Klopp’s team finished third, you’ve got to go for the league. And he won the league.

“And the same with Iraola. Liverpool finished fifth last season, nowhere near good enough. So I’m not expecting Liverpool to win the league next season, but we’re Liverpool.

“We’re going to spend big in the summer. We’ve got a lot of great players and yes, we’ve got to challenge.”