Liverpool open talks to sign £43m “genius” for Iraola

Liverpool were not at the races last season, but Andoni Iraola‘s arrival could change a lot at Anfield.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Liverpool massively underperformed last year, recording a lowly fifth-place Premier League finish. They scraped their way into the Champions League, but the toxicity levels rose as Arne Slot’s side failed to improve and learn from their mistakes across the course of the campaign.

One problem, among many, was that Liverpool lacked depth, or lacked reliable options away of the starting 11, in any case. This was definitely the case in the middle of the park, but FSG are hoping to fix that.

Liverpool in talks to sign World Cup breakout star

Liverpool’s transfer team always have their fingers on the pulse, and they have sounded out a number of exciting stars competing over the pond ahead of the new season.

Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has been has been of a vested interest to the Anfield side, but an £80m price tag for an 18-year-old who would have to spend another year in France with LOSC Lille maybe doesn’t represent the value for money that Liverpool need to propel themselves back into title contention.

Liverpool could pivot, turn in a different direction. While Iraola’s system will probably need an experienced centre-midfielder to strengthen the fold, if one of Alexis Mac Allister or Curtis Jones is sold, an emerging teenage sensation at the World Cup could prove the perfect addition to complete a new-look engine room.

Indeed, according to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are interested in signing Mexico superstar Gilberto Mora this summer, having already made contact with Liga MX club Tijuana to understand their stance on Mora’s future – as well as the desire of the player himself.

Mooted to possess a valuation of £34m at the moment, Mora would be worth breaking the bank for. He has the potential to become a world-class playmaker, a counterpoint to someone physical like Dominik Szoboszlai.

Considering his silky style of play, he might even grow into Liverpool’s new version of Philippe Coutinho.

Why Gilberto Mora can be Liverpool’s new Coutinho

The youngest player at the 2026 World Cup, Mora has confirmed his prodigious status through his performances at the Azteca this summer, and while the Three Lions proved a step too far for the teenager and his Mexican team, there’s no question that he could enjoy a big impact on Merseyside.

Scout Jacek Kulig said Mora is “one of the most exciting Mexican talents I have ever seen“, and his prodigious start to life on the major stage really does underscore his potential in the Premier League with Liverpool.

The Reds have creative options, but his maverick take on the playmaking game could add a dimension that quite simply was lacking under Slot’s wing last season.

Florian Wirtz was ineffective after his £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen, and while he will be expected to make gains next year, Mora could bring a more potent threat, more talismanic in his playmaking ability.

And analyst Filipe Sousa has even hailed him as a “generational talent“, lofty praise, but probably justified when looking at his potential on the major stage. His technical control, eye for a pass and ability to unleash a speculative strike certainly offers something of a hint of Coutinho.

A “little genius” in the words of Como scout Ben Mattinson, the 17-year-old has already featured 53 times across all competitions for Tijuana, scoring ten goals, and that natural aptitude in the final third, out on the left or in attacking midfield would bring something different to Iraola’s outfit.

Liverpool need to redevelop their midfield system. Whether that calls for drastic, sweeping changes remains to be seen, but a well-worked signing for a talent of Mora’s quality could be a real game-changer.

There’s no denying the fact that Liverpool lacked flair and guile in attack last season. Mora could help change that in the long run. He’s still so young, but his slick and stylish presence on the ball may well bring back a Coutinho-like flavour to the Anfield side over the coming years.