New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola faces a couple of key tests on policy after replacing Arne Slot at the Anfield helm this summer
Andoni Iraola new manager of Liverpool Football Club at Anfield
Andoni Iraola has two changes to consider at Liverpool that could signal a preference for Jurgen Klopp's methods over Arne Slot's(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola is expected to make a raft of changes to Liverpool's operation after replacing Arne Slot on Merseyside. And his looming decision to either stick with some of Slot's policies or turns back towards some of Jurgen Klopp's methods could come to define his reign.
There are two rules in particular the Spanish tactician may focus on changing as he gets down to work at Anfield. Both relate to the amount of emphasis placed on players spending time with their families, where Slot was far more lenient than his predecessor.
The first rule relates to Liverpool having Christmas Day off, having previously been expected to report for training regardless of the festive season under Klopp. Iraola has in the past given Bournemouth time off during January as part of the Premier League's winter break, though Antoine Semenyo recently told In The Mixer his old boss can be unsympathetic when it comes to rest days.
"The way he structured the weeks, we didn't really have any days off, nothing," said the Ghana international. "It's very hard going from having Wednesday and Sunday off to having no days off."
It may therefore seem Iraola is more likely to side with Klopp when it comes to Christmas Day specifically. And Reds captain Virgil van Dijk addressed the topic after he and his team-mates were granted some extra respite by Slot.
"We have Christmas Day off which is very nice of the staff," said Van Dijk in December. "It's a nice change. I'll be at home Christmas Eve too and I'm really looking forward to it.
"The staff always have a particular plan for a game. It works well for everyone. It's special to be off on Christmas Day. I don't think it's happened in my Premier League career so far. I'll make the most of being with my family and enjoy it all."
It was a theme of Slot's tenure at Anfield that the Dutchman's philosophy on vacation time was generally seen as too relaxed. The manager himself even copped criticism for taking a little too much vacation time in Ibiza and Dubai when opportunities presented themselves.
Arne Slot Head Coach of Liverpool showing his appreciation to the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool
Slot proved perhaps a little too lenient in awarding Liverpool players time off during his time at Anfield(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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The second rule Iraola may consider tweaking concerns players staying together in a hotel the night before a home game. Klopp was in favour of that tradition, while Slot made the decision to allow the squad to stay with their families on the eve of a fixture.
It would be unfair to attribute last season's dip solely to any one policy given things seemed to work en route to the Premier League title in Slot's first campaign. However, little margins to promote unity and a certain war mentality heading into games can add up.
During Slot's debut campaign at Anfield, Van Dijk said: "It's everyone's own preference but it's the rules now. Personally, I like to sleep in my own bed and be with my family, and so it works out quite well. But what we did in the past worked out quite well, too, as we've been very successful in terms of winning."
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As Van Dijk himself noted, Klopp's administration got a tune out of the team by promoting a certain model on pre-game preparations. And Iraola may side with the slightly more workhorse ethic that got Klopp to such legendary status on Merseyside.
The indicators from Iraola's time at Bournemouth do point toward a more stringent, committed outlook in most areas. And while no one change will return Liverpool to their former glories alone, the aforementioned two tweaks could play a significant role in galvanising a squad that appears to have lost some of its cohesion of late.
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