Joe Gomez says Liverpool are 'hungry and excited' under coach

Joe Gomez says Liverpool are "hungry and excited" under his leadership

According to Soccernews.

Context

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez expressed optimism about the new era under Andoni Iraola. The change of coach, following the departure of Arne Slot, is seen as an opportunity for Liverpool to bounce back after a season below expectations in the Premier League.

Why this matters

Andoni Iraola's arrival as Liverpool manager represents a significant change after a disappointing season. Liverpool's performance in the last Premier League, where they finished fifth with just 60 points, raised concerns about the team's future. The positive energy mentioned by Joe Gomez could be crucial to revitalizing the club and improving its performance next season.

Main conclusions

• Joe Gomez says Liverpool are "hungry and excited" under his leadership.
• Joe Gomez talks about the positive energy at Liverpool under new manager Andoni Iraola and expectations for next season.
• Liverpool ‘hungry and excited to go’ under Iraola, says Gomez.

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has revealed that he and his team-mates are "hungry and excited" for the new season under manager Andoni Iraola. The arrival of Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot after a historic season at Bournemouth, brought new hope to the club. Under the Spaniard's leadership, Bournemouth went on an impressive run of 18 games without defeat, securing a place in European competition for the first time in the club's history, while Liverpool finished last season in the Premier League in fifth place with just 60 points. That figure is the lowest ever recorded by a team that finished fifth or higher in the Premier League since the 2006-07 season, when Tottenham also finished fifth with 60 points. This performance by Liverpool raised questions about the team's future until the arrival of Iraola, who impressed everyone with his work at Bournemouth. Gomez shared his expectations in an interview with the club's website, stating that the team is enjoying a good run in pre-season. "I think it's a combination of a new coach and a great rest. We're all hungry and excited to get started," he commented. The defender also praised Iraola's approach, highlighting the positive impression he has made on the team since his arrival. "At the end of the day, we love what we do, and we'll always be excited to get back and prepare. He seems like a really cool person. What he did at Bournemouth was impressive and how he was able to get the team to perform. We're all looking forward to it and excited to have him here. We're hungry and ready to go." Liverpool already have their first pre-season challenge lined up for next week, when they face Sunderland in the Premier League summer series. In addition to Sunderland, the team will also prepare for games against Wrexham and Leeds United in the United States. Liverpool's first official game of the 2026-27 season will beaway from home, against Newcastle United, on August 23rd. Expectations are high among fans and players, who hope for a triumphant return with the new management. With the new coaching staff and a determined group, Liverpool hopes to return to the top of the Premier League and shine in European competitions, seeking a start to the season that lives up to the club's history.

What happens next

With pre-season underway, Liverpool is preparing to face new challenges in the Premier League. The expectation is that Iraola's playing philosophy will bring new impetus to the team, which seeks not only to return to the top of the table, but also to compete for titles. Early performance under his leadership will be key in shaping Liverpool's trajectory this season.