Liverpool news: Andoni Iraola confirms plan as Maghnes Akliouche reality laid bare

View 2 Images

Andoni Iraola will officially begin Liverpool's pre-season with just two new signings secured. The Reds' winter deal for Jeremy Jacquet became official this month , while Spanish World Cup winner Victor Munoz was signed by the Reds boss during the summer tournament.

Munoz, 23, won't be present during the Reds' tour of the United States, as he's been given an extended break and will instead meet his new team-mates back on Merseyside in August. The Premier League side remain short on numbers in defence and have yet to sign a replacement for Mohamed Salah .

Iraola has been transparent on his need to bolster his squad ahead of his first season in charge. The Reds boss has also confirmed the roles in his backroom staff, while the race for Monaco and France star Maghnes Akliouche has received another update. Mirror Football delves into the latest stories coming out of Anfield.

FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

The Reds boss has confirmed that Pablo de la Torre will be his No. 2 at Liverpool. Iraola brought his fellow Spaniard, Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper with him to Merseyside last month. De La Torre has worked with Iraola since their Rayo Vallecano days and was previously credited to be the fitness coach at the La Liga side and Bournemouth.

The 43-year-old spoke of the importance of his trusted coaches also making the move to Liverpool before waxing lyrical about De La Torre's qualities. "For me, it was important they came with me," Iraola said during Liverpool's pre-season tour of Chicago.

"Pablo is a physical coach but has been with me almost all the years I have been coaching. So for me, he is much more than a physical coach, really. He is an assistant and we know each other very well."

View 2 Images

Liverpool remain in the market for a winger with the club yet to bring in a replacement for Mohamed Salah. Monaco and France star Akliouche has been touted as a target for the Reds , according to Sky Sports.

However, the Premier League side are once again battling it out with Paris Saint-Germain as the clubs already battled in the chase for Yan Diomande earlier this summer. The RB Leipzig star is said to prefer a move to the Champions League holders and a similar story has reportedly prevailed in Akliouche's case.