Andoni Iraola is expected to return to Jurgen Klopp's ways of doing things at Liverpool, but the new boss will have to navigate around some of Arne Slot's decisions at Anfield
16:32, 06 Jun 2026
Andoni Iraola new manager of Liverpool Football Club at Anfield
Andoni Iraola was appointed by Liverpool to replace Arne Slot(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola is anticipated to implement a series of changes to Liverpool's operations following his appointment on Merseyside in place of Arne Slot. His forthcoming decisions on whether to retain elements of Slot's philosophy or revert to certain aspects of Jurgen Klopp's approach could prove pivotal to his tenure.
There are two particular regulations the Spanish tactician may look to alter as he settles into his role at Anfield. Both concern the degree of importance placed on players spending quality time with their families, an area in which Slot was considerably more relaxed than his predecessor.
The first concerns Liverpool's policy on Christmas Day, with players previously required to report for training during the festive period under Klopp. Iraola has previously afforded Bournemouth time off during the Premier League's winter break in January, though Antoine Semenyo recently revealed to In The Mixer that his former manager can show little sympathy 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."
This would suggest Iraola is more inclined to align with Klopp's stance regarding Christmas Day in particular. Reds captain Virgil van Dijk also weighed in on the subject after he and his teammates were afforded some additional downtime 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."
Throughout Slot's time at Anfield, the Dutchman's approach to time off was widely regarded as overly lenient. The manager himself faced censure for taking excessive holidays in Ibiza and Dubai whenever the opportunity arose.
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
Arne Slot came under fire for his approach to time off(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The second regulation Iraola might contemplate adjusting relates to players gathering in a hotel the evening before a home fixture. Klopp championed that custom, whereas Slot chose to permit the squad to remain with their families on the night preceding a match.
It would be unjust to blame last season's decline entirely on any single policy, given that things appeared to function smoothly during the Premier League title triumph in Slot's inaugural campaign.
Nevertheless, small details that foster togetherness and a particular fighting mentality ahead of matches can prove significant. During Slot's first season 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 acknowledged, Klopp's regime extracted strong performances from the team by championing a particular approach to pre-match preparations. Iraola may favour the slightly more industrious philosophy that elevated Klopp to such iconic status on Merseyside.
The signs from Iraola's spell at Bournemouth do suggest a more rigorous, dedicated mindset across most aspects. While no single alteration will restore Liverpool to their previous heights alone, the two adjustments mentioned could prove instrumental in reinvigorating a squad that seems to have lost some of its unity recently.