Andoni Iraola hands €100m Liverpool star an undeserved lifeline

Andoni Iraola hands €100m Liverpool star an undeserved lifeline Andoni Iraola hasn't been Liverpool's head coach for all that long but, during his short time in charge, he's already made some changes and some promises that he needs to keep. Everyone knows that the Reds' first team squad need a bit of a revamp after they only managed to finish fifth in the Premier League at the end of the 2025-26 season. Several members of Liverpool's squad failed to meet expectations last term which means that new players are needed to come in to spruce things up a bit. However, since the Reds only have a limited amount of money, some of their players will have to stay put with one regular starter now being handed a rather undeserved lifeline by his new manager. Andoni Iraola doesn't want to sign Adam Wharton this summer Most fans believe that Liverpool's midfield is their main area which needs changing. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were fractions of their former selves and most of their performances made fans wish they weren't a part of the Reds' squad. This lack of form led to fans demanding that new central midfielders were signed with Adam Wharton reportedly on top of their shortlist . However, a fresh report from Football Insider has just shut these rumours down completely. "Crystal Palace are growing increasingly "confident" of keeping Adam Wharton as interest from Liverpool has cooled, sources have told Football Insider," they wrote. "The 22-year-old has been outstanding for Crystal Palace and played a key role in his side winning the FA Cup and Conference League in the last two seasons. "That has attracted interest from high-profile suitors, with Liverpool having been the most keen, but that interest appears to have faded in recent weeks. "As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Andoni Iraola does not view Wharton as a priority and is instead looking at other targets. "Meanwhile, Tottenham's signings of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, Man City's signing of Elliot Anderson and Man United's pursuit of Alex Scott have given the Eagles room to breathe. "Crystal Palace are extremely reluctant to lose key players in the summer window, and hope Wharton will continue to play a key role under Pierre Sage." Adam Wharton not joining Liverpool means Ryan Gravenberch could be their starting number six As mentioned, Gravenberch was one of Liverpool's worst performers during the 2025-26 campaign. The Dutchman may have featured 50 times for Liverpool over the course of the season but, this was only because Arne Slot rarely ever changed his line-up. Admittedly, his performances in the World Cup were a tad better than they were for Liverpool but, that doesn't mean he should be given a lifeline by his new head coach. The midfielder needs competition among Liverpool's ranks so that he can up his game and try to prove that he's better than anyone who's brought in. But, with a deal for Wharton now off the table and the fact that Elliott Anderson's £116 million transfer to Manchester City has inflated the market, it feels unlikely that the Anfield outfit will get the new number six that they so desperately need. If this is the case, Gravenberch best be able to prove why Liverpool have just given him a €100m deal to stay in L4 for the next five years.