Full Breakdown
Liverpool Appoints Four New Coaching Staff Members Ahead of 2026-27 Season
7/3/2026, 2:10:29 PM
Appointment Overview
Liverpool FC announced that Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper will serve as first-team coaches, Pablo de la Torre as assistant coach, and Tom Webber as first-team tactical analyst. All four worked with head coach Andoni Iraola at AFC Bournemouth (2023-26). The appointments take effect for the 2026-27 season.
Background
Iraola managed Bournemouth for three seasons, ending in 2026 after leading the club to a sixth-place Premier League finish – its highest finish and first European qualification. The team that achieved this included Elphick, Cooper, de la Torre and Webber, who worked with Iraola at AEK Larnaca (2018-19) and Rayo Vallecano (2020-2023).
Staff Profiles
Tommy Elphick – former centre-back with over 400 senior appearances for Brighton, Bournemouth and Aston Villa, two-time promotion captain, retired 2021 and entered Bournemouth coaching, later joining the first-team staff under O’Neil and Iraola.
Shaun Cooper – defender/midfielder with more than 200 Bournemouth appearances, club captain 2005-12, retired 2017, returned as development-squad head coach in 2018 and progressed to senior coaching under O’Neil and Iraola.
Pablo de la Torre – assistant coach who first worked with Iraola at AEK Larnaca (2018-19), then at Rayo Vallecano (2020-2023), and followed him to Bournemouth in 2023.
Tom Webber – performance analyst with a decade of experience at Bournemouth, including spells at Birmingham City and Leicester City, promoted to senior first-team analyst in 2024.
Timeline & Key Data
- 2018-19: de la Torre works with Iraola at AEK Larnaca.
- 2020-2023: de la Torre and Iraola together at Rayo Vallecano.
- 2023: Iraola appointed Bournemouth manager; Elphick, Cooper, de la Torre and Webber join his staff.
- 2025-26: Bournemouth finishes sixth in Premier League, securing European qualification.
- 2026-27: Four appointees begin duties at Liverpool.
Official Statements & Responses
Liverpool’s announcement confirmed four new staff members to support head coach Andoni Iraola’s back-room team, noting that Elphick and Cooper will serve as first-team coaches for the 2026-27 season.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Open Extended Reactions Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of four new staff members as head coach Andoni Iraola looks to bolster his back room team.” — Liverpool FC
- “Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper join the Reds as first-team coaches ahead of the 2026-27 season.” — Liverpool FC
- “Pablo de la Torre arrives as an assistant coach and Tom Webber has been appointed as first-team tactical analyst.” — Liverpool FC
- “Pablo de la Torre arrives as an assistant coach and Tom Webber has been appointed as first-team tactical analyst.” — Liverpool FC
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One source describes Elphick’s career appearances as “more than 400,” while another says “almost 400.” The announcement date and contract terms are not disclosed. No direct quotes from club officials appear in the source material.
What’s Next
The backroom team will begin pre-season work for 2026-27, supporting Iraola’s tactical planning as Liverpool approaches the transfer window.
