Iraola urges Liverpool players to mirror supporters’ commitment against Forest
By Joel Masibo, August 29, 2026Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has challenged his players to show the same determination and commitment that supporters would display if they were on the pitch.
Iraola is set to experience his first Premier League home match as Liverpool manager on Saturday, August 29, 2026, when Nottingham Forest travel to Anfield for the lunchtime fixture.
The Reds will be looking to claim their first victory of the 2026-27 campaign after beginning the season with a 2-2 draw away to Newcastle United. They will also be aiming to give their home supporters an early reason to celebrate under their new head coach.
Ahead of the Forest encounter, Iraola spoke to TNT Sports alongside former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who asked the Spaniard what he wanted supporters to feel when they leave Anfield after watching his team play.
Iraola explained that establishing a strong bond between the team and the supporters would be one of his major priorities.
“One of our goals is to get this connection with the fans,” he replied.
“I always tell the players, ‘The fans have to feel that if they were in your position, they would do exactly the same as you are doing.’
“The fans probably cannot put a free-kick into the top corner. But they are thinking, ‘If I was there, I will give everything – I will follow every ball, I will attack the spaces, I will press, I will head the ball, I will win the second [balls].’
Iraola believes Liverpool must first get the fundamentals right, arguing that supporters will respond positively when they see the players giving maximum effort.
“We have to do all those basics well. When the fans feel this and they are trying and they are giving everything, it keeps the team closer to the fans.
“When you create this connection, we are going to be much, much better. We have to do our part – because I’m sure if we do our part, the other side will be there.”
The manager will therefore expect Liverpool to combine their technical quality with intensity, pressing and hard work as they seek to secure their first three points of the new Premier League season in front of the Anfield faithful.