Liverpool want to restore the aggressive, attractive brand of football seen under Jurgen Klopp as they seek to appoint Arne Slot‘s successor this summer.
Slot was sacked on Saturday after a season of abysmal, dull football and poor results which saw the fans turn on the Dutchman.
The style of play imbued by the departed head coach was unacceptable – and there were many who openly remarked on his ‘boring’ brand even on the way to winning the Premier League title in his first season.
Liverpool’s decision-makers were clearly aware of this themselves as their outlook for Slot’s replacement was briefed soon after his exit.
Liverpool want ‘front foot, aggressive, urgent football’
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 19, 2023: Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola (R) shakes hands with Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp at the final whistle during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Sky Sports‘ Vinny O’Connor is among those to report that the club are seeking “a different profile of head coach” who will restore “the kind of football we saw under Jurgen Klopp.”
He went on to explain: “The feeling within Liverpool is that the team now needs to evolve again.
“More recruitment is planned for the summer period on top of what was done last summer, and the next phase of Liverpool’s development requires a more front foot, more aggressive style of football.”
Those same words – front foot, urgent and aggressive – were also included in a report from the Times‘ Paul Joyce regarding Slot’s sacking.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool already have their priority target in sight with ex-Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola reported to be in talks over taking the job on Sunday.
Iraola’s three years at Bournemouth saw his sides play with that same brand of aggressive, attacking football and there are many similarities with Klopp.
“The brand of football that Andoni Iraola plays is very much a similar style to Jurgen Klopp and where Liverpool want to be,” Sky Sports‘ Mark McAdam said.
“Liverpool spend a lot of time looking at data and how teams are playing, the way they are playing, the metrics of their players.
“Having not won in their last four matches, they didn’t quite feel that Arne Slot was delivering the type of football the club and most importantly the fans were looking for. Andoni Iraola certainly ticks those boxes.”
He added: “Any football fan wants to be excited by watching their team play.
“It’s interesting that Mo Salah‘s social media post referred to the ‘heavy metal’ style of football that Jurgen Klopp described his football as. I would say Andoni Iraola’s football is very similar.”