Wirtz, Isak and Diomande impress at World Cup as Iraola eyes Liverpool revival

Liverpool's new manager Andoni Iraola is evaluating his inherited squad and potential signings during the 2026 World Cup to rebuild the team after last season's title defense failure.

Iraola's World Cup scouting mission Liverpool's recently appointed head coach Andoni Iraola is using the 2026 World Cup as an opportunity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of his inherited squad and scout potential reinforcements. The Spaniard, who took over from the sacked Arne Slot, closely monitored all matches on day four of the tournament to gather insights. Iraola, arriving from Bournemouth, is focused on identifying ways to revitalize a team that struggled during its Premier League title defense last season. His observations during this global competition will shape his strategy for the club's upcoming campaign. ## Unlocking Wirtz's potential at Liverpool Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool in a then-British-record £116 million move from Bayer Leverkusen last summer but failed to meet expectations in his debut season. Now aged 23, the German forward remains a priority for new manager Andoni Iraola, who aims to find a position that allows Wirtz to showcase the talent he displayed before joining Anfield. Iraola's attention was drawn to Wirtz's performance for Germany in their opening 2026 World Cup match, a 7-1 victory over Curacao. Playing in favorable conditions and representing his country, Wirtz displayed moments of brilliance despite the mismatch in quality. ## Wirtz's World Cup form sparks interest During the match against Curacao, Wirtz operated on the left flank, a position that could offer Iraola valuable insights given Cody Gakpo's struggles there last season. Gakpo's inconsistent form led to questions about his suitability in that role, but Wirtz's performance suggested he could thrive in a similar position. The German midfielder contributed with 39 touches in the final third and set up Germany's opening goal for Felix Nmecha with a delicate touch. Commenting on Wirtz's display, former England striker Chris Sutton remarked, 'The mitigation must be that this was Curacao, but the Liverpool fans who watched the game, especially in the first half, would be wondering if it was the same Florian Wirtz who played for them last season.' Sutton added, 'He looked happy in a German jersey, at ease and playing with freedom. He was sharp off the left, drifting inside to play quick, incisive passes. He was creative and cunning. He looked unburdened. He was a real menace with Jamal Musiala.' ## Dutch trio's mixed World Cup fortunes Virgil van Dijk remains a cornerstone of Liverpool's new era under Andoni Iraola, reinforcing that status with a man-of-the-match display for the Netherlands in their 2-2 draw with Japan. At 35, the Dutch captain scored a goal and was the defensive anchor for a team that occasionally looked vulnerable. His precise header gave the Netherlands the lead after 51 minutes, and he nearly preserved the win with a series of dominant headers under late pressure from Japan. Ryan Gravenberch, another Liverpool player, played a key role by creating Van Dijk's opening goal with an inviting cross. This assist marked only the second World Cup goal in history to be both scored and assisted by a Liverpool player, following Ian Callaghan's setup for Roger Hunt in 1966. Gravenberch also provided the assist for Crysencio Summerville's second goal. ## Gakpo's struggles and potential revival Cody Gakpo's form declined sharply last season, and his struggles continued during the Netherlands' match against Japan. The winger often resorted to predictable movements, cutting inside too frequently, which opponents easily countered. His performance was further hindered by the selection of Micky van de Ven at left-back; a central defender by trade, Van de Ven offered little attacking support, allowing Japan to limit Gakpo's influence. Gakpo falls into the category of players Andoni Iraola hopes to revitalize after their underwhelming displays last term. The Dutchman's ability to regain his previous form will be crucial for Liverpool's attacking ambitions. ## Diomande's standout performance for Ivory Coast Liverpool are reportedly tracking RB Leipzig's teenage sensation Yan Diomande as a potential long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah. The 19-year-old forward justified the hype with a man-of-the-match display in Ivory Coast's 1-0 victory over Ecuador in the 2026 World Cup. Diomande operated on the right flank in the first half, a position that would align with Salah's departure, before switching to the left after halftime. He created five chances throughout the match, troubling Arsenal's Piero Hincapie with an electrifying run that left the defender trailing. Diomande also showcased his dribbling ability and physicality to evade Ecuador's defensive traps, contributing with 22 passes in the attacking third. ## Isak's return to form for Sweden Alexander Isak's £125 million move to Liverpool from Newcastle United last year was marred by injuries and poor performances, with the striker scoring just four goals in 22 appearances. The 26-year-old struggled with fitness upon arrival and suffered a broken leg in December while playing for Liverpool. However, Andoni Iraola will have been encouraged by Isak's return to form for Sweden in their 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia. Isak capitalized on a goalkeeping error for his first-half goal and then demonstrated his confidence by taking on the Tunisian defense. He also provided an assist for Viktor Gyokores in the second half, marking only the second instance since 1966 where two Swedish teammates each scored and assisted in a World Cup match. Isak was named man of the match before being substituted late in the game.