Iraola says Liverpool need more signings<\/p>\n
New Liverpool<\/a> head coach Andoni Iraola has conceded his\u00a0team are in a \u201cdifficult situation\u201d with injuries and departures, but has insisted the club is \u201cworking hard\u201d to bring in new players.<\/p>\n Liverpool have already signed centre-back Jeremy Jacquet<\/a> and winger Victor Munoz<\/a> this summer. But Iraola says that will not be sufficient to cope with the demands of playing in the UEFA Champions League and bidding to reclaim the Premier League title they won in 2024\/25.<\/p>\n Speaking at his first press conference since taking charge from AFC Bournemouth<\/a>, Iraola said: \u201cObviously, we have signed two players already, but we need more players. We know this. The club is working on this.<\/p>\n \u201cMe, as a coach, selfishly, we want the players here from day one to train from pre-season. But we know football doesn\u2019t work like this. The club is working hard to get those signings.\u201d<\/p>\n Liverpool have seen the vastly experienced trio Mohamed Salah<\/a>, Ibrahima Konate<\/a> and Andy Robertson<\/a> all depart this summer, while they are without the injured Hugo Ekitike<\/a>, who was the club\u2019s only player to reach double figures for goals in the Premier League last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to accept the difficult situation right now,\u201d said Iraola. \u201cA lot of senior players leaving, very important players. Also, some of the very important players are injured: Ekitike, [Conor] Bradley<\/a> and [Giovanni] Leoni<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are long-term injuries. In terms of improving the team, we have to consider replacing important players who were making important numbers and the players who will be missing time.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that these three players, for example, I love them, [but] they are the long-term solutions, I’m sure.”<\/p>\n Liverpool embark on a pre-season tour to the United States later this month, where they face Sunderland<\/a>, Leeds United<\/a> and Wrexham.<\/p>\n Villa make move for breakout World Cup star Manzambi<\/p>\n Aston Villa<\/a> are reportedly looking to bring in Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi following his breakout FIFA World Cup performances for Switzerland.<\/p>\n The 20-year-old starred for the Swiss as they reached the World Cup quarter-finals, and now widespread reports \u2013 including The Guardian and The Athletic \u2013 suggest he could be on his way to Villa Park.<\/p>\n Unai Emery is looking to bolster his central-midfield options with Amadou Onana<\/a> expected to be out long term after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament at the World Cup. His Belgium and Villa team-mate Youri Tielemens<\/a> has also been linked with a move to Manchester United<\/a>.<\/p>\n Manzambi helped Freiburg reach the UEFA Europa League final last season, where the German side were defeated by Villa. He was named Europa League Young Player of the Season for his performances, while he then made history at the World Cup with three goals and two assists in just four appearances, becoming the youngest player to notch five goal involvements at a single World Cup since records began in 1966.<\/p>\n Extremely versatile, he played as a left winger and attacking midfielder for Switzerland, but primarily operates as a box-to-box central midfielder, where he excels with his dribbling ability.<\/p>\n According to BBC Sport<\/a>, among players in the Bundesliga in his position last season, he ranked first for 10-plus metre progressive carries (116), shot-ending carries (13) and fouls won (78). He was also second for total take-ons (71) and total carry distance (2,476 metres).<\/p>\n Newcastle\u2019s third Miley brother\u00a0<\/p>\n A familiar surname joined Newcastle United<\/a>\u2019s ranks over the weekend, when Mason Miley followed in his brothers Lewis<\/a> and Jamie<\/a>\u2019s footsteps by stepping up from the youth ranks and signing his first professional deal.<\/p>\n From left to right: Mason Miley, Lewis Miley, Jamie Miley<\/p>\n Mason, a central midfielder or full-back, has been at the club since Under-9 level, progressing through the ranks and making his Under-18 debut at the age of 15. He played 11 times in the Premier League 2 last season.<\/p>\n Now aged 17, his next goal is to emulate his older brothers, both of whom made their senior debuts under head coach Eddie Howe. Lewis has become a regular presence in Newcastle\u2019s first team, while Jamie made a number of pre-season appearances before joining National League club Hartlepool United last year.<\/p>\n \u201cTo play with Lewis in a Newcastle United shirt for the first team is one of my ultimate goals. It would be an unreal moment for the family,\u201d said Mason. \u201cWe\u2019ve been training together during the summer and he has helped me to maintain strong fitness levels and standards.\u201d<\/p>\n Although instances of three brothers signing for the same club are rare, the Mileys are not unique.<\/p>\n As well as two-time Premier League winner Eden Hazard<\/a>, Chelsea<\/a> also had his brothers Thorgan<\/a> and Kylian on their books at different points.<\/p>\n From left to right: Eden Hazard, Thorgan Hazard, Kylian Hazard<\/p>\n The west London club also signed brothers Jay<\/a>, Cole and Rio Dasilva from Luton Town\u2019s academy at the same time in 2012; Jay played a key part in Coventry City<\/a>\u2019s promotion to the Premier League last season.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, having all come through Aston Villa\u2019s youth ranks, Jacob Ramsey<\/a> now plays at Newcastle, Aaron<\/a> at Burnley and youngest brother Cole recently signed for Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ekitike follows Beckham’s lead at Wimbledon<\/p>\n While his France team-mates are one match away from reaching a third World Cup final in a row, Liverpool striker Ekitike has been finding other ways to occupy himself over the summer while he recovers from an Achilles injury.<\/p>\n Ekitike\u2019s season ended prematurely in April when he suffered the injury in Liverpool\u2019s UEFA Champions League quarter-final defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.<\/p>\n Last week, the Frenchman sampled some elite tennis fare when he headed to Wimbledon to watch eventual men\u2019s singles champion Jannick Sinner defeat 24-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n