Despite drawing four league matches in a row, Andoni Iraola believes Liverpool is currently at its best levels of the season and is also wary of the tactical variation shown by Arne Slot
11:01, 24 Jan 2026
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola has said he expects the best version of Liverpool to show up against Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has said he expects to face the “best Liverpool of the season” when Arne Slot’s side travels to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The Reds head to the south coast looking to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in all competitions and build on the impressive 3-0 victory against Marseille in midweek. But that doesn’t quite tell the full story of Liverpool’s current form.
Indeed, the champions faced boos at the conclusion of their last Premier League outing, when they were held to a fourth consecutive draw. Ties against Leeds, Fulham, Arsenal and Burnley since the turn of the year have prevented Liverpool from pulling away from the rest of the chasing pack in the European places, although Slot said on Friday he is confident that his side will secure a top-four finish this term, as Liverpool is steadily improving.
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That’s a view shared by Iraola ahead of Saturday’s clash at Bournemouth. “I think, probably unluckily for us, we are going to face the best Liverpool of the season,” opined the 43-year-old.
“They are coming, I think it's 13 games without a loss. The other day against Marseille, they won 3-0, but they could even have won easier. They were so, so good. And I expect the best Liverpool because they are playing, for me, very well.
“They had this period months ago where they had these losses that probably affect the overall picture of the season.
Arne Slot and Iraola are set to meet for a fourth time as Premier League coaches
Arne Slot and Iraola are set to meet for a fourth time as Premier League coaches(Image: Getty Images)
“But for me, right now, if not the best, is one of the best teams. Even the game against Arsenal, probably, they were even better.
“Like I said, unluckily for me, I expect the best Liverpool of the season because they are playing very well.”
Slot changed his shape against Marseille and opted for a fluid 4-2-2-2 shape, with Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike operating as wide attackers who routinely cut inside.
Asked if he is unsure what system Liverpool will deploy on Saturday, Iraola responded: “It's not just against Marseille. I think they've been changing their tactics a little bit.
“Especially with moments without Salah, moments without [Cody] Gakpo.
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"They've been playing like more players in the middle, leaving one of the sides free and putting a lot of midfielders helping in the build-up up so they can push a little bit more the full-backs.
“Normally two up front, they've been playing sometimes one side, sometimes the other and they are doing really well.
“I think they are playing really well. So not exactly the same thing they did against Marseille, but I think they will do something similar because it's working for them.”