Iraola’s move from Bournemouth introduces a fresh managerial network rooted in his high-pressing philosophy. This group blends trusted lieutenants who have worked with him before with seasoned specialists ready to guide a comprehensive transition. At the forefront is Tommy Elphick, stepping into the role of first-team coach previously held by Sipke Hulshoff. The former centre-back, who had spells with Brighton, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth, is a familiar figure to many in the south of England and, importantly, a lifelong Liverpool supporter. Since 2023, Elphick has served as the chief facilitator between players and Iraola at the Vitality Stadium, and his hands-on approach is expected to shape individual development and set-piece strategy as a core part of daily training and matchday routines.
Joining Elphick on the bench is Shaun Cooper, another trusted adviser who followed Iraola up the M6. Cooper’s career includes time as a defender with Portsmouth and Sutton United, with coaching experience rooted in Bournemouth’s academy. In Liverpool, his remit extends to defensive organization, tactical analysis, and the design and implementation of innovative set-piece routines. Iraola relies on the established partnership between Elphick and Cooper during sessions and matches, often positioning himself to benefit from their real-time input.
The physical program for Iraola’s Liverpool is guided by Pablo de la Torre. Listed as an assistant coach, De la Torre has a long-standing relationship with the manager, having previously assisted during spells in Spain and Cyprus. Although many expected him to assume the lead physical-coach role, his broader title reflects influence across the club’s overall physical program. Trained in sports science and physical therapy, De la Torre is described as meticulous and detail-obsessed, charged with ensuring the squad possesses the fitness capacity required to press relentlessly and maintain high-intensity performance without overextending the players.
In the analytical domain, Tom Webber has been appointed to lead performance analysis, succeeding Roderick van der Ham. Webber arrives with a pedigree from work at Birmingham City and Leicester City and focuses on tactical analysis, opposition scouting, and delivering data-driven breakdowns that highlight opponents’ pressing triggers and vulnerabilities. His work supports Iraola’s system by providing the information needed to tailor pressing and pressing-recovery patterns against different styles of play.
Liverpool’s goalkeeping department maintains continuity amid the changes. Xavi Valero remains the head of first-team goalkeeping coaching, continuing to work with a cadre of keepers including Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, and the academy’s Armin Pecsi. Valero’s leadership ensures a stable, high-performance environment between the posts. Colin Stewart supports the goalkeeping program as the development and pathway lead, a continuation of his role since last year. Stewart’s responsibilities connect the first team to the Under-21s and include strategic planning for loan experiences that help align the club’s goalkeeping talent with top-level demands.
The changes in Liverpool’s backroom reflect a broader commitment to a cohesive and calculated approach under Iraola. The aim is to create a high-pressing, physically capable, analytically informed squad that can compete at the highest level. The combination of Elphick and Cooper on tactical duties, De la Torre driving the physical program, Webber handling analysis, and Valero and Stewart steering the goalkeeping side forms a comprehensive framework designed to accelerate transition and deliver on-field success.
As the new team takes shape, the aim is clear: establish a clear, shared vision across coaching, analytics, and performance that supports Iraola’s principles while leveraging the experience and strengths of trusted collaborators. By building a unified system with specialists in each domain, the club signals its intent to return to a competitive footing and challenge for major trophies in the seasons ahead.
