The Anfiel chief is preparing his side to face Newcastle in their first match of the Premier League season
Andoni Iraola during a Liverpool press conference.
Andoni Iraola during a Liverpool press conference(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach insists he does not expect Newcastle United's style to change too much under Matthias Jaissle, athough he admits the importance of the analysis teams is huge ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener.
Both Jaissle and Iraola will take charge of their respective clubs for the first time in a competitve game at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon, when the curtain rises on a new top-flight season.
While Iraola has plenty of Premier League experience with Bournemouth, this will be Jaissle's first taste of the competition, having previously worked in Austria and Saudi Arabia.
The Liverpool head coach says he is aware of what the new Magpies boss can do - and feels it the style will not be significantly different to the high press United excelled at under Eddie Howe.
However, with some many new faces in the league this season, the work of the analysts is crucial to get an understanding of what to expect.
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"I think Matthias, we knew him from before but first game you over-analyse everything," Iraola said today in his pre-match media briefing.
"We don't have so many friendlies to reference but in the end it doesn't change the style too much.
"They will be strong in transitions, fast, physical, atmosphere will be strong, so not an easy to be playing first game. We have to be ready.
"We have seen lots of changes of managers, we face a lot first few games. It's an extra part of the job to do - analysing how they played in previous clubs, even certain situations how we can use things they have been doing.
"We are getting to know each other. We want to arrive in our best form. We are ready for when the competition starts. The analysts are very important for us."
There are so many talking points ahead of Sunday's game, that the return of Alexander Isak to Tyneside has almost been overlooked so far.
However, the Swede is sure to get a hostile reception from the Newcastle faithful over the way he left the club for Liverpool 12 months ago.
Iraola has backed his striker to deal with the pressure, and explained what he expects from him this season.
Alexander Isak
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak(Image: (Lewis Storey/Getty Images))
"I suppose it will be a special for the former club when you play them in their stadium, same when I go to Bournemouth," he added. "You always want to do well and everyone will be motivated. Same for Alex.
"He's an important player for us, in a very good place, training every day, adding minutes, played a good World Cup with Sweden.
"I want to keep him there as much as we can. We know his level, he will score the goals. He will give us a lot of things.
"My fight with him, the instructions, is off the ball. He wants to score but I try not to judge the strikers if they have or haven't scored."
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