Alisson's Future Decision Looms for Incoming Liverpool Coach Iraola

Andoni Iraola has not even signed on the dotted line yet, but his first major decision at Liverpool is already looming large. Before the World Cup kicks off on June 11, the incoming head coach is expected to sit down with Alisson and discover, in blunt terms, whether the Brazilian sees any future for himself at Anfield.

Right now, the answer looks like no.

Arne Slot’s abrupt sacking on Saturday has blown open a summer that was already shaping up to be turbulent. The Dutchman believed he retained the backing of the Liverpool hierarchy after delivering a 20th Premier League title in his debut season, yet an end-of-season review led by Fenway Sports Group powerbrokers Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes ended with the axe.

The title in year one bought him time. The collapse in year two took it away. Crucially, Slot lost the fanbase, and once that bond snapped, FSG moved quickly.

Iraola talks accelerate

Liverpool are now racing to finalise Iraola’s appointment, with discussions to ramp up in the coming days. Hughes knows the Basque coach intimately from their time together at Bournemouth, where he brought Iraola in back in July 2023. That familiarity is expected to speed up the process.

But as soon as Iraola steps through the door, one of the club’s greatest modern servants wants clarity.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Alisson intends to tell the new coach that, in his mind, his Liverpool career is over. Juventus, sensing opportunity, have had their hopes “restored” by Slot’s departure and believe they can finally prise the goalkeeper away from Anfield.

The Italian report claims Alisson has an agreement in principle with Juve over an initial three-year deal, with an option for a fourth. Liverpool, for now, have blocked any exit. That stance, though, hinges on what Iraola and Hughes decide in those opening conversations.

Mamardashvili, Verbruggen and a brutal choice

The equation is simple and ruthless. If Iraola chooses to build around Giorgi Mamardashvili as his long-term No 1, or demands another new goalkeeper, the door for Alisson to head to Turin swings open.

Liverpool have already started planning for that scenario. On May 15, it emerged that Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen has been identified as a serious candidate to succeed Alisson between the posts. Young, highly rated, and Premier League-tested, he fits the profile of a next-generation signing.

But inside the club, there is deep reluctance to let Alisson go. This is not just about saves and clean sheets. It is about leadership, presence and the erosion of a dressing room core that has defined an era.

A dressing room stripped of leaders

This summer was always going to be painful. Mohamed Salah is on his way out. Andy Robertson is leaving too. Ibrahima Konaté has already confirmed he will depart on a free after contract talks collapsed.

Strip out that much experience and personality, and you are left with a very different Liverpool. Removing Alisson as well would cut another pillar from the structure.

Yet the goalkeeper’s stance is firm. He wants to force through a move. He does not intend to share the role or battle Mamardashvili for minutes. At this stage of his career, he wants guarantees, and Juventus are offering exactly that: undisputed No 1 status in Turin.

Liverpool, for their part, are pushing hard to secure their preferred successor to Salah in attack, aware that one of the great modern frontmen is walking out the door. Every big decision feels interconnected now. Every transfer call carries more weight than usual.

So Iraola arrives not just to reshape a team, but to decide how much of Liverpool’s old guard survives the summer. Does he fight to keep Alisson at the heart of a new project, or does he sanction the end of a glittering Merseyside chapter and start again in goal?

The answer in that first meeting could define Liverpool’s next era as much as any signing they make.