Andoni Iraola has been speaking ahead of his first competitive game at Anfield, with the Liverpool boss taking over from Arne Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp in 2024
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola says his preferred style of play is closer to Jurgen Klopp than Arne Slot, with the new Reds head coach gearing up for his first competitive game at Anfield.
Iraola, who was previously in charge of Bournemouth, drew 2-2 with Newcastle in his first game. But he has not lost in the Premier League since the turn of the calendar year when his Cherries side narrowly lost against soon-to-be champions Arsenal.
In an interview with Steven Gerrard on TNT Sports, Iraola explained that his way of playing is more closely aligned to Klopp than Slot, which is a key reason for the Reds making the change at the start of the summer.
"Probably closer to Jurgen, I would say," Iraola said when asked which recent former Liverpool boss' approach more closely mirrored his.
"But I loved a lot of the things that the team had with Arne also," he quickly insisted.
"We need to keep being vertical, keep attacking, keep sometimes taking some risks, but I wouldn’t like to lose the good things that our players have also."
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
Iraola is also keen to establish a relationship with the Liverpool fans as early as possible. His style of play should lean into that, with Anfield crowd hoping for a more entertaining way of playing this term.
"One of our goals is to get this connection with the fans," Iraola said.
"I always tell the players, ‘The fans have to feel that if they were in your position, they would do exactly the same as you are doing.’
"The fans probably cannot put a free-kick into the top corner. But they are thinking, ‘If I was there, I will give everything — I will follow every ball, I will attack the spaces, I will press, I will head the ball, I will win the second [balls].’
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"We have to do all those basics well. When the fans feel this and they are trying and they are giving everything, it keeps the team closer to the fans.
"When you create this connection, we are going to be much, much better. We have to do our part — because I’m sure if we do our part, the other side will be there."
Liverpool.com says: Iraola will have to entertain as well as get results, but the two things can go hand-in-hand. Playing with more intensity should suit the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, who both need to have much better campaigns this time around.