Andoni Iraola replaced the sacked Arne Slot last month and takes charge of his first Liverpool game against Sunderland at Geodis Park in Nashville tonight
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola(Image: (PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images))
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Andoni Iraola has been warned he needs to get Liverpool playing 'heavy metal football' to stop supporters from becoming disgruntled. Iraola was appointed as the new Reds head coach last month after Arne Slot was sacked barely a year after leading the club to the Premier League title.
While there were suggestions the Dutchman might get another chance to fix things, major concerns about his style of play - or specifically the supporters' disillusionment with it - resulted in his sacking. Iraola was known for playing a brand of fast-paced football at Bournemouth, and former Liverpool forward Emile Heskey believes that is the only way to play in order to keep the club’s supporters onside.
"Playing style is the thing that everyone pointed to, wasn't it," the former England international said, via LiveFootballTickets.
"I think we've been spoiled as such with Jurgen Klopp, but again we've got to remember it took Jurgen a few years for the players to get used to what he actually wanted, and then to get the players in that he wanted as well.
"But I think that was one of the main things that the fans were particularly disgruntled with was the slow tempo of play. It used to be heavy metal football, all gung ho, just swarming over teams and really overpowering them, when we really didn't have that anymore.
"You always want to get off to a good start as a manager, just to put yourself at ease if anything and just so you know you’re on the right track and things are going to be okay."
The Reds are also in the process of trying to replace Mohamed Salah, who called time on his trophy-laden Anfield career at the end of last season.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool appears emotional as he applauds the fans following his final appearance for the club during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield on May 24, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah says an emotional goodbye to Liverpool supporters at Anfield after his final game for the club in May(Image: Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
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Liverpool have identified RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande as a top target to replace Salah this summer, having already secured Victor Munoz's services.
The Reds have told the Bundesliga club that they will pay about £86m for Diomande, a valuation equating to a package worth about €100m (£85m).
Liverpool have also made an enquiry about Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche, while Bradley Barcola of PSG is among those on the club’s shortlist, but Heskey believes Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the perfect replacement for the Egypt international.
"The difficult part of saying who could replace Mo Salah, is I don't think anyone could replace Mo Salah," he said. "The only one I would say that we could probably go after is Kvaratskhelia from PSG, but he won't be available.
"I think when you're looking at talents and legends of that ilk, you have to just put that behind you and move on to something different. You will never find another Mo Salah putting up the numbers that he did. Never ever."
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