Liverpool has made a promising start to life under Andoni Iraola, and former Reds midfielder Thiago Alcantara is in no doubt about his fellow countryman's qualities
Thiago Alcantara speaking to Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola
Thiago Alcantara has praised Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola(Image: Liverpool FC)
Thiago Alcantara has paid Andoni Iraola a huge compliment after meeting with the Liverpool head coach ahead of Sunday’s game against Manchester City.
The midfielder was back at the AXA Training Centre this week as he reunited with some of his old teammates before conducting an interview with Iraola for the club’s website.
Thiago of course spent four years as a player at Liverpool following spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. It was at the Camp Nou when he came across Iraola as a player, with the two regularly going head-to-head in fixtures between Barca and Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.
Iraola captained his club across four campaigns, leading it to the 2012 Europa League final and two Copa del Rey finals - one of which saw him come up against Thiago.
And having seen how he operated during his playing days, the 35-year-old is in no doubt that his qualities will hold him in good stead at Liverpool.
“You as a player had the most important value, which is consistency and being reliable,” Thiago told Iraola.
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“And you as coach is the same, the players and the club can rely on yourself because of the way you are.”
Andoni Iraola manager / head coach of Liverpool celebrates at full time following the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid
Andoni Iraola has made an unbeaten start to life as Liverpool's head coach(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
Iraola has so far led Liverpool to an unbeaten start in his first season in charge, with the Reds facing their biggest test yet on Sunday when they host Manchester City at Anfield.
Although he is satisfied with what he’s seen so far from his team, Iraola feels he’s about to learn much more over the coming weeks.
Asked about his start to life at Anfield, Iraola told reporters on Friday: “It looks very good, but then you see we've had two draws at the beginning which weren't so good.
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"This run of games we have now between the international breaks, the amount of games is very high and we play against the top four in the league, three Champions League games, the Carabao Cup game against Chelsea, so also a very condensed run of games, I think it's four games in nine or 10 days, so I think it will say a lot about us. I think after this run of games, we will know better where we really are."
On facing City, Iraola added: "You are here to play these kind of games. You know that it's going to be challenging, they are very good, but we are also very good.
"It's the kind of game where you want to see your players, because there are going to be difficult duels, one-vs-ones against very good players, and let's see where we are, and see what help we can provide them during the game with the subs, and I'm looking forward to it."