Liverpool meet Bournemouth on Saturday evening knowing they are going to be in for a game on the South Coast.
The Reds actually have a brilliant recent record against the Cherries, and as they sit 15th in the current Premier League table, some fans may be expecting another comfortable win.
However, that is unlikely to be the case. Regardless of Liverpool‘s underwhelming form lately, the main reason for that comes in the man who will stand in the home dugout on Saturday: Andoni Iraola.
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When these two teams play each other next season, assuming Bournemouth stay up, it could well be that Iraola takes his place in the away technical area.
Because, despite the Cherries’ poor recent form, Iraola should absolutely be in the mix to become Liverpool manager should Arne Slot be relieved of his duties in 2026.
Andoni Iraola could be a success at Liverpool
One of the reasons Iraola feels like a potential Liverpool manager despite his struggles at Bournemouth is because of his team’s style of play.
Playing against the Cherries is so difficult because Iraola’s players never give up. They play fast, combination football in the same manner whether they are 1-0 up or 3-0 down.
Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola greet each other ahead of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
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Iraola’s principles do not change and while that can sometimes lead to Bournemouth getting exposed against better teams, he would rarely have that problem with Liverpool.
Translate the Basque’s tactics onto better players in a more dominant club, and it is likely that the result would be an incredibly exciting team who play a type of football which would be welcomed at Anfield.
He has already punched above his weight in the Premier League at Bournemouth, and if there is anyone who appreciates his talents, it is Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes.
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Federico Chiesa celebrates after scoring for Liverpool in the Premier League against Bournemouth at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA
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Richard Hughes already hired Iraola once
If Iraola’s footballing principles are not enough to convince some Liverpool fans that he should be on their shortlist to replace Slot, then his relationship with Hughes explains why he would be regardless.
Hughes was in charge of appointing Iraola at Bournemouth in 2023, and while that does not necessarily make a move inevitable, it is not nothing.
One thing that is clearly true of Michael Edwards and Hughes at Liverpool is that they treat each other’s opinion extremely highly.
Hughes was hired for his work at Bournemouth but also because he was a known quantity to Edwards, and they may feel similarly about Iraola.
The Spaniard would have plenty to prove at Liverpool, especially if Bournemouth continue to occupy the lower reaches of the Premier League, but if Slot is to go, it would be a real surprise if Iraola was not among the three or four names being considered.
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