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.
"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."
Bidbcdnuyz
1
or maybe we should try carragher as coach or wat do u think?
Juccdekmyz
0
be careful how you talk to my manager
biuaklmpyz
0
carragher needs to keep his mouth shut
CalebKeddie
0
the bigmouth loser is at it again when the season is far from starting. Hopeless loser
Omitunsin7
1
this Carragher is mounting pressure on my new coach ....are we sure this man is a Liverpool legend or Liverpool enemies..... putting pressure on a new Coach.... stupid Man
suaaekpu
0
Jamie Carragher is a big fool, so take no notice of what he says. Liverpool manager should not take advice from Carragher.
nutceiltz
0
here he go again
Kris12
1
Please Carragher don't put pressure on him please, You have started again league never start
Binlause
2
Give him a break... You already starting to put pressure on him... England is s*t
Mrbank
0
you have to keep all your players as a manager who just come into team , you don't just let them go , you prepare them ,
ziwbdilmny
2
carragher am a Liverpool fc fan sometimes u drink too much bear give ariola a chance to settle this is the problem with you pundits it the man first season and u start to mount pressure right away as bad I never trust slot he delivers I his first season finished 5th the following season then got sick cruel by my standard yet u trying to put ariola under pressure you go coach the team we would get relegated in the FIRST 20 game Jamie just shut the fk up man give the man a chance to fk settle u drink too much gk beer as a Liverpool fc fan i hate to hear u talk cheap crop and a bag of sht spilled from your mouth
Soaabeimtz
0
this man has started talking rubbish again
let him take one club and see
Williamslad
0
Jamie Carragher should get out. Give Iraola space to breathe
Kodabcest
0
this man has started talking rubbish again
Widbiltz
1
Carragher is crazy🤪
Taybekl
0
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Wamelpstuy
1
Lol 😝 small nyash dey shake