Andoni Iraola is gradually settling into his role as Liverpool’s head coach but acknowledges that more victories are needed for both him and the team to fully establish themselves. The Spaniard’s side has gained momentum recently, securing four consecutive wins across all competitions and eight victories in their last ten matches following an initial pair of draws at the start of the season.

Iraola allowed himself a brief moment of celebration after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday, marking his first time acknowledging the support of the Kop crowd in such a way. However, he emphasized that sustained success—and not just isolated wins—is required to build lasting confidence and acceptance among the supporters.

“It is not to gain confidence,” Iraola explained ahead of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup match against Chelsea. “You have to earn the right to belong and you only get it with good performances, with wins, and this will take time.” He added that, while he appreciated the fan support and shared joy following the recent victory, the team still requires “more wins, more performances” and that patience was essential.

Liverpool’s next fixtures present another unique challenge for Iraola, as he will face two coaches with whom he shares close personal ties. Tonight’s Carabao Cup clash against Chelsea pits him against Xabi Alonso, a longtime friend and former teammate. Both men have a shared history, having grown up together, played alongside each other, and represented both Spain and the Basque Country teams.

“We were close friends, we grew up together, we played in the same team, we played against each other, we played together in the national team with Spain and the Basque Country,” Iraola said. “But he is the opposition and we want to beat him, in the same way he will us. After the game we can talk.”

Following the Chelsea match, Liverpool will face Arsenal on Sunday, managed by Mikel Arteta, another familiar figure in the coaching community. These encounters highlight the close-knit nature of the football world even as competition intensifies.

For Iraola, the path ahead remains demanding as he seeks to convert promising early results into consistent performances capable of securing his place and Liverpool’s position in the season.