Liverpool appoint Alejandro Rosalen as new goalkeeping coach
Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Alejandro Rosalen as their new first-team goalkeeping coach. Rosalen joins Andoni Iraola’s backroom staff, filling the vacancy left by Xavi Valero, who departed at the close of last season after a 12-month tenure. This addition marks the fifth new member to Iraola’s coaching team this summer.
Rosalen brings extensive experience to Anfield, having most recently completed a five-season period with Serie A club Napoli. During his time there, he was part of the coaching setup that secured two Serie A titles for the club, marking their first league successes since 1990. His career with Napoli concluded last month as new coach Max Allegri brought in his own backroom staff.
Prior to his spell at Napoli, the 49-year-old Spaniard spent eight years at Fiorentina, another prominent Italian club. At Stadio Artemio Franchi, he worked under five different managers. His coaching journey also includes a period in Hungary with Videoton and an initial role in his home country with Valencia’s academy.
Squad updates and player movements
In other squad news, young goalkeeper Armin Pecsi will not be part of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States. The 21-year-old is reportedly close to joining Austrian Bundesliga side TSV Hartberg on a season-long loan. Liverpool is keen for Pecsi to gain regular senior experience, with Hartberg reportedly fending off interest from several clubs in Switzerland and France.
Pecsi, who joined Liverpool from Puskas Akademia last summer, has been a regular for the club’s under-21s. He also made his senior international debut for Hungary against Kazakhstan last month and was an unused substitute at first-team level on five occasions during the 2025-26 season.
Liverpool has also announced a 31-man squad for their U.S. tour. A notable absence from the travelling group is Jayden Danns, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. This injury could impact a potential breakout opportunity for the 20-year-old, especially given the current limited forward options available to Iraola.
Several senior players, including Wataru Endo, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Stefan Bajcetic, and Hugo Ekitike, are travelling to the U.S. to continue their rehabilitation from injuries. Additionally, 18-year-old centre-back Mor Talla Ndiaye, who signed in January and was part of a few matchday squads, is awaiting a visa and is expected to join the team later.
Players involved in the World Cup, such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Ryan Gravenberch, are set to link up with the squad during the tour. They are expected to join their teammates before Liverpool’s final two pre-season friendlies of the trip.
Iraola’s new coaching team
Rosalen’s arrival follows other recent appointments to Iraola’s coaching staff. Pablo de la Torre has been confirmed as Iraola’s deputy, having previously led fitness at Vitality Stadium. Former assistant Tommy Elphick joins Shaun Cooper as a first-team coach.
Analyst Tom Webber has also joined the team, succeeding Roderick van der Ham, who confirmed his departure at the end of June. These additions represent a significant restructuring of the coaching setup under Iraola.
Rosalen’s previous roles also include working under managers such as Vincenzo Montella, Paulo Sousa, Stefano Pioli, Giuseppe Iachini, and Cesare Prandelli at Fiorentina, and Luciano Spalletti, Antonio Conte, Walter Mazzarri, Rudi Garcia, and Francesco Calzona at Napoli.
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Source: nytimes.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
