Why Liverpool want Iraola and what he could bring to Anfield

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Andoni Iraola is expected to replace Arne Slot as Liverpool boss By Aadam Patel Football reporter Published 2 hours ago The connection between Richard Hughes, Liverpool 's sporting director, and Andoni Iraola is well documented. The Spaniard was appointed as Bournemouth head coach - his first break in English football - in 2023 on the advice of Hughes, then technical director at the Cherries. Three years later, Iraola finished the job - having confirmed in April he would leave the club at the end of the season - with an 18-game unbeaten run that saw Bournemouth finish sixth and achieve European football for the first time. The 43-year-old's managerial path has taken him from AEK Larnaca in Cyprus to Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano in Spain, then Bournemouth . And while his career is, understandably, light on silverware - the Cypriot Super Cup in 2018 remains his only trophy to date - he has often overachieved, with Bournemouth securing a club-record finish in each of his three campaigns. Now Hughes and Michael Edwards, chief executive of Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG), believe Iraola is the man to re-establish the Reds as one of Europe's top clubs. Slot sacking completes a remarkable fall from grace Published 2 days ago Liverpool sack head coach Slot and approach Iraola Published 2 days ago Bringing a 'high risk' style of football One of the key reasons Liverpool parted ways with Slot was his style of play, with lacklustre performances stirring boos from the Anfield crowd in his final term. Hughes saw first-hand how toxic the home atmosphere was when he attended Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Chelsea in May . "Intensity is our identity" was the phrase coined by Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp's assistant, during their time at Anfield. But this campaign Liverpool stumbled their way into the Champions League. "The last 10 games of last season, and for the majority of this season, we haven't looked like Liverpool . The style has been difficult to watch at times," Steven Gerrard told TNT Sports. "I think his [Iraola's] style would suit Liverpool ," he added. Liverpool need someone who commands their team to play with energy to bring the joy back to Anfield. Iraola's style is based on high pressing and rapid and direct play. In 2023, Iraola told The Sunday Times , external that he prefers "chaos over organisation" and loves "gegenpressing" [counter-pressing]. "It's a matter of how much do you want to risk the ball. I tell players whenever you recover it, your first look has to be not even to the number nine, but the keeper. Can you score?" he said at the time. The question is not only whether Iraola can implement that style at Liverpool but whether it can be done every few days, with the challenges of European football. Those close to Iraola say he is meticulous with routine, so it will be interesting to see how things change when he no longer has a whole week to prepare for a game. Football on the beach with