With several inexperienced young players forming part of Iraola’s squad, McManaman believes the new leadership group must maintain high standards. He highlighted that Salah and Robertson previously held immense authority in the dressing room.
The former winger urged Szoboszlai, Van Dijk, and Alisson to accelerate the development of younger team-mates during this rebuilding phase.
“He’s got a really important role to play this season, because we’ve lost some huge characters,” McManaman added. “They need to play a really big role in bringing the younger lads through, and quite quickly.”