Given the weight carried by Jurgen Klopp‘s words, supporters will be reassured to hear the former manager is a big fan of potential new boss Andoni Iraola.
Back in 2024, Klopp sang Arne Slot‘s name on the Anfield turf after his final match of the season.
While he mighn’t have such a direct show of support for the probable new boss, Iraola, Klopp’s previous praise for the now ex-Bournemouth manager will help instil confidence in the fanbase.
Before Liverpool’s 4-0 win at Dean Court in January 2024, the German spoke glowingly about the opposition coach.
Klopp said: “When you don’t play them at the weekend I really have time to admire what he’s doing there, so it was obviously a really difficult start for him at Bournemouth with the manager change and all these kind of things.
“I didn’t know a lot about him, about the colleague. At the start of the season the results went [bad] which, if you don’t have a proper look at Bournemouth, it can happen.”
Klopp was referring to the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign, when the Cherries failed to win any of their opening nine matches.
Likewise, they had a poor run of form this season, going 11 without a win during November and December. The coach turned things around, though, to record Bournemouth‘s highest-ever points total in the top flight (57).
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)
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)
They recovered in similar in 2023/24, though, with Klopp commenting: “They turned it around, wow.
“That’s real coaching I have to say, and he found a way to set this team up and they have a really good mix.
“They play football, they find direction in the right moments, they use Dom Solanke in a sensational way: the support he gets from the centre, from the wings.
“The way they defend, really good, really compact. So that’s proper.”
Iraola has faced Liverpool seven times in his career, losing six before winning the most recent encounter 3-2 at Dean Court.
Milos Kerkez knows how to play for Andoni Iraola
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 1, 2025: AFC Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 1, 2025: AFC Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Klopp isn’t the only Liverpool figure to have sung Iraola’s praises; left-back Milos Kerkez has also spoken about the Basque coach’s qualities.
Kerkez made 74 appearances under Iraola at Bournemouth, and speaking to the Athletic‘s Caoimhe O’Neill last year, the left-back explained how the coach was getting the best out of him.
“I like to be aggressive but in a sporting way – in a football way, I like to compete a lot,” Kerkez said.
“As a full-back, you have to [defend and attack], but first of all is your defensive game.
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez celebrates after scoring the first equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez celebrates after scoring the first equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“If you’re not a good defender, you’re not going to play or compete for trophies.
“Last season I had to work on my defensive awareness, to not switch off. I now stay focused for the whole game and I believe I’m doing both pretty well this season.
“If you want to be a full-back with Andoni Iraola, you have to be like this.”
Football – UEFA Champions League – League Phase – AC Milan v Liverpool FC
MILAN, ITALY - Tuesday, September 17, 2024: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the UEFA Champions League game between AC Milan and Liverpool FC at the Stadio San Siro. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
ESPN pundit Kevin Keegan prior to kick-off
ESPN pundit Kevin Keegan prior to kick-off
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 5, 2024: Liverpool supporters greet the team bus as it arives before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by Ryan Brown/Propaganda)