Ian Rush's message on Andoni Iraola is clear enough. Liverpool should give their new manager time to build, but the club's standard still means silverware has to be the target. Iraola was named as Arne Slot's successor in June and will oversee his first competitive match in charge at Newcastle on Sunday, 23 August.

Rush's view on the first weeks

Rush said the opening spell will shape the mood around the new era. "I think the first four or five games, that's going to be important. If you start well, that will give everyone the confidence to go on and be more successful," he told BBC Sport.

He was even blunter about the expectation level. "I've been asked every year for 30 years and I say to win the league. That's the standard at Liverpool. But no, he's got to be given time. If you win a trophy, that would be great. But he needs to be given time and I'm sure he'll deliver the goods."

The squad and the standard Rush is talking about

The league numbers behind that standard are not flattering. Liverpool finished 5th in 2025, won 17 of 38 Premier League matches and lost 12 of them, then finished on 60 points. They are also currently 14th in the 2026 standings, which is hardly a title-chasing platform for a manager arriving to steady the club.

Rush also pointed to the new arrivals since Iraola's appointment, saying Liverpool have brought in centre-back Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes and Spain winger Victor Munoz. He added that returning players including Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni can help the picture as well.

The other backdrop is Mohamed Salah. Rush's comments came against a report that Salah is closing in on a switch to Trabzonspor, although that move is not confirmed. If he does go, Liverpool's attack will look different again, which only increases the need for Iraola to settle the team quickly.

Rush is not asking for blind patience. He is asking for time with the usual Liverpool demand attached. That is a fair position, and the first few games under Iraola will tell everyone whether the squad can give him the kind of start Rush thinks matters.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →