Iraola: Transfers *are* coming. Liverpool's squad is thin. Newcastle looms.

Carragher got the sit-down for Sky Sports. And the Basque boss laid it out: reinforcements *will* arrive. "We'll definitely sign players, yes. I hope more than one," Iraola told him. A nice sentiment. Though he did admit players usually come earlier. But, hey, patience. That's the word.

Just two months in, after Arne Slot's exit, the 44-year-old manager’s already sizing things up. He’s been in the Premier League show before, guiding Bournemouth to a respectable sixth last season. But Liverpool? That’s a whole different animal, he concedes. "Probably the money, the level of the player is different, but the issues normally are the same," he said. Issues are issues, no matter the budget. Good to know.

Forget today. The *real* picture? September 1st. That's Iraola's view. He's pinning everything on the deadline. Why? Because, as he put it, "we are still quite thin." Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the current roster. "I hope... we can have more help from here until the end of the market." Hope springs eternal, I suppose, especially when your squad looks threadbare.

Tactics? He's not Pep, okay? Let's just clear that up, even if Guardiola once complimented Bournemouth's approach. Iraola’s preaching identity, but also 'flexibility' at Anfield. A manager’s gotta adapt, apparently. He admits he’ll need to "control a little bit more the games." But for now? "I prefer to make mistakes, probably going more towards the other side than to more control situations." A bold statement. Or just an admission of impending chaos. You decide.

All this talk, and then there's reality. Newcastle. St James' Park. Sunday. Kick-off 4.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League. That's the immediate problem. And a thin squad will feel it.