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Andoni Iraola said on Monday he wants to enjoy the "magic" linked with being the manager of Liverpool but is determined his Anfield appointment does not change him fundamentally.

The former Bournemouth boss is well aware of the magnitude of the position he holds, with Liverpool's demand for success exemplified by the fact he arrived in Merseyside as a result of the six-time European champions sacking Arne Slot a year after the Dutchman led the club to the Premier League title.

"Until I go through certain experiences I will not fully know but I'm here to experience those situations, I'm ready for it," said the 44-year-old Iraola in his first press conference as Liverpool manager.

"I understand this is a massive club. Everything that I'm going to say now, it's going to get the biggest scrutiny. You have to be very aware of the mistakes but I wouldn't like to be too careful."

"I would like to act quite normal: I'm not going live in my bubble -- just training ground, home. I would like also to go to the city, experience the city - I know some places.

"But it's part also of the magic of being the Liverpool manager and I would like not to change too much," the Spaniard added.

Liverpool finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League table last season, losing 12 matches, and Iraola understands the need to refresh his squad following the recent departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.

"Obviously we've signed two players already (center-back Jeremy Jacquet and winger Victor Munoz) but we need more players, we know this.

"As a coach, selfishly, I want the players here from day one ready to train for pre-season but understand football doesn't work like this. I know the club is working hard for those signings and I'm trying to help also."

Iraola, meanwhile, wants to restore trust with fans frustrated by the team's performances under Slot by providing the kind of attacking football not seen at Anfield since the end of Jurgen Klopp's reign in 2024.

"I would like to give them a team that they can feel proud of," he said. "I think football -- and especially Liverpool -- is about connecting: connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters.

"We have to be a team that works hard, intense, aggressive, vertical so everyone can be identified and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team."

After being beaten by American Jordan Lee in Sunday's Wimbledon boys' final, Lleyton Hewitt's son Cruz said his next goal is to make the men’s main draw of the Australian Open.

Nearly a quarter of a century after his father won the Wimbledon title in 2002, Cruz lost 4-6 6-4 7-5 ⁠to Lee at ⁠the All England Club.

The 17-year-old was looking to become the first Australian boys' champion at Wimbledon since Luke Saville in 2011.

“I feel like I played ⁠some really good tennis and it was just a great battle today. Jordan played better and deserved to win," Reuters quoted Hewitt as saying after his defeat.

"I am feeling very disappointed but I am proud of my effort to make the final. Obviously I grew up around this ⁠tournament ⁠and I have seen my dad play here. It's been a privilege to play here.

"That is the dream (playing in the Australian Open main draw). That is a big goal of mine to have that... I look forward to coming back here (Wimbledon) in the future for the men’s.”

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