Andoni Iraola

[MosRay]

I'm not sure how you can draw that conclusion; we didn't play pure "Klopp football" the year before, and it would be inconceivable that the recruitment dept just gave Slot a bunch of players and told him to get on with it, without any prior consultation or consideration, especially considering the sums of money involved. It makes absolute zero sense and 100% didn't happen. Of the players we did bring in, I'd only be confident in Kerkez being able to make the transition.

Isak. Twiglet body and perma-injury doubt. Will not last long under a heavier workload. Not a robust and durable battler like Firmino.

Ekitike. Long and languid style, likes to dribble and have plenty of touches. He's got pace but won't be flying up the wing (or through the middle) and beating players with pure pace. And that's before his serious injury.

How Isak and Ekitike fit into any team together is anybody's guess, let alone one that executes a 'Klopp style of football".

Frimpong. A diminutive speed merchant (at least he was until the Tottenham game when he was matched by Jed Spence, then to my eyes didn't seem as fast anymore in subsequent games) that has to huff and puff, and stretch every sinew to stay on terms physically with his opponent. He couldn't cope with the physical demands of Slot-level effort so I'm not convinced an increase in effort and workload will reap rewards. At least he'll be fit for the start of pre-season after getting binned by the Dutch national team.

Wirtz. A complete physical non-entity, and I go as far to say a total liability off the ball - easily brushed off, and bottles out of tackles. I can't think of a squad member more ill-suited to "Klopp style".

Leoni. A promising debut in which he looked quick covering short distances and alert to danger around the penalty area, and nicely pancaked a Southampton player in an aerial challenge. Unknown if he's got the recovery pace to play in a high line in the Prem, and cover the flank for a right back that constantly bombs forward/ is out of position. Ultimately though, I'd leave Leoni out of this discussion.

At least you don't hold the Slot-****ed-up-with-a-great-squad-but-we-need-a-load-of-new-players-for-this-****-squad viewpoint - Iraola has got no excuses taking over such fine squad; the title is ours when he frees everyone from their chains and they are "allowed to express themselves".

Can I just say, I never said we played "PURE Jurgen Klopp Football" I said we bought players that would fit stylistically with a Klopp team. Although in our title winning season under Arne Slot the football was very reminiscent of Klopps style, abait a lot more controlled, I.M.O

You asked how I came to that conclusion.

Liverpool appointed Arne Slot in 2024 because his tactical profile closely mirrored Jürgen Klopp’s, yet he offered the advanced positional play and data-driven approach FSG executives desired.

https://youtu.be/bw3lVL7F0Uc?is=dhDtr_QRAk_xeOHm

⁠Fenway Sports Group (FSG) hired Arne Slot as Liverpool’s head coach because his intense, high-pressing, and possession-based style of play perfectly matched the club's data profile. The hierarchy identified him as the ideal candidate to energize the squad and maintain tactical continuity following the departure of Jürgen Klopp.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5441110/2024/05/20/liverpool-arne-slot-manager-inside-story/?redirected=1

I would address the comments you make about each player the club purchased last year, but in fairness we cannot honestly judge them fairly after the type of season we had. I will hold judgement until the end of next season.

That being said, I do accept your opinions on each of the players you have mentioned, and, I agree with some points, but disagree on others.


I will conclude by saying

These players were 100% bought to play in a high-pressing, fast-transitioning system rather than the slow, possession-based style they were trapped in last season.

Oh and the data backs up my claim regarding the player profile too.

The recruitment team designed this squad to attack with vertical speed, but the tactical execution on the pitch did the exact opposite.

The club's data department didn't make a mistake with who they bought; the mistake was trying to force aggressive pressing players to play in first gear.


Why It Matters for Next Season


By pivoting to a high-pressing, fast-transitioning coach like Andoni Iraola for the upcoming season, Liverpool are once again aligning their tactical style with the explosive DNA of the squad they built.

[Exiled_red]

I haven’t seen enough of him at Bournemouth but I’m hoping he’s more like Klopp than Slot with the arm around the shoulder, caring for the person over Slot’s ice cold demeanour.

[Exiled_red]

I like this from Andoni. Always felt Slot was the opposite, focused on the core group cared less about the rest.

[SB]

I like this from Andoni. Always felt Slot was the opposite, focused on the core group cared less about the rest.

I haven’t seen enough of him at Bournemouth but I’m hoping he’s more like Klopp than Slot with the arm around the shoulder, caring for the person over Slot’s ice cold demeanour.

[Buzzo]

I like this from Andoni. Always felt Slot was the opposite, focused on the core group cared less about the rest.

Andoni Iraola on if he plans to speak to the players:

“For me right now, I think it's more than talk to the players. Some of them will be on deserved holidays, some of them will be with their national teams. I want to talk to the staff, to the people that were here every day, that know very well the players, to arrive as ready as possible to that first day of pre-season. I think especially with a lot of those young players that will do the pre-season with us, a lot of things about the organisation, about the staff, about how we can create the best atmosphere, the best environment so when they arrive [on] day one, everyone feels everything is in place and we can do this process of adaptation, that it will take some time as soon as possible.

“We are in this process of building the best staff we can. Now for me, the most important thing is to also know and get into a rhythm with the people that were already here working. Sometimes they don't appear on TV; with all the analysts, the performance guys, all the people that really are in touch with the players every day. I think they are going to be very, very valuable for us. It's true that it's going to be new staff, new people coming in, but I would like also to value a lot the ones that have been here working for the club with these players, that are really the ones that will help us more at the beginning.”

[BootRoom]

I do not know why, but I but it just feels right. I agree his brand of football is what the fan base craves and Anfield will get excited about.
I'm not expecting over night adaptation, but I know we have the right players for his style of football.

I said in a previous post that last year we bought players for a Klopp style of football, Slotball just didn't suit the players we have or bought. Again our plan seems to be the same.

I think this is why there was a sudden change of mind. To got the way Slot wanted to play meant a total reset and change of personnel on the pitch.

Iraola, will allow our players to express themselves, and not restricted their abilities on the pitch.

I'm really excited for the coming season now, I just wish it wasn't a month away ????

I'm not sure how you can draw that conclusion; we didn't play pure "Klopp football" the year before, and it would be inconceivable that the recruitment dept just gave Slot a bunch of players and told him to get on with it, without any prior consultation or consideration, especially considering the sums of money involved. It makes absolute zero sense and 100% didn't happen. Of the players we did bring in, I'd only be confident in Kerkez being able to make the transition.

Isak. Twiglet body and perma-injury doubt. Will not last long under a heavier workload. Not a robust and durable battler like Firmino.

Ekitike. Long and languid style, likes to dribble and have plenty of touches. He's got pace but won't be flying up the wing (or through the middle) and beating players with pure pace. And that's before his serious injury.

How Isak and Ekitike fit into any team together is anybody's guess, let alone one that executes a 'Klopp style of football".

Frimpong. A diminutive speed merchant (at least he was until the Tottenham game when he was matched by Jed Spence, then to my eyes didn't seem as fast anymore in subsequent games) that has to huff and puff, and stretch every sinew to stay on terms physically with his opponent. He couldn't cope with the physical demands of Slot-level effort so I'm not convinced an increase in effort and workload will reap rewards. At least he'll be fit for the start of pre-season after getting binned by the Dutch national team.

Wirtz. A complete physical non-entity, and I go as far to say a total liability off the ball - easily brushed off, and bottles out of tackles. I can't think of a squad member more ill-suited to "Klopp style".

Leoni. A promising debut in which he looked quick covering short distances and alert to danger around the penalty area, and nicely pancaked a Southampton player in an aerial challenge. Unknown if he's got the recovery pace to play in a high line in the Prem, and cover the flank for a right back that constantly bombs forward/ is out of position. Ultimately though, I'd leave Leoni out of this discussion.

At least you don't hold the Slot-****ed-up-with-a-great-squad-but-we-need-a-load-of-new-players-for-this-****-squad viewpoint - Iraola has got no excuses taking over such fine squad; the title is ours when he frees everyone from their chains and they are "allowed to express themselves".

[SB]

Wirtz runs a lot and can be molded to that style. Not sure Isak can with his injuries.

I remember instances were Wirtz was leading the press only to look around & see his team mates stuck on the 1/2 way line probably due to Slot’s tactics.

[BigChief]

Wirtz runs a lot and can be molded to that style. Not sure Isak can with his injuries.

[Exiled_red]

On a more serious note, I'm not convinced that Wirtz and Isak will fit into a more aggressive style of play.

That would kind of be a problem given last summer was essentially trying to build a team around those two

[vlahka]

Yeah we’re stuck watching our players away on Int Duty where I’d prefer them relaxing on a beach somewhere.

Nah screw that. They've had it easy all season and half of them somehow didnt get proper preseasons. This world cup is the beginning of preseason for the lot of them. If they come back after this bitching about not being fit enough like last time.. Also if Isak makes it through this entire tournament without a niggle and ends up breaking in his first month back with us, we should be looking to sell. Didnt want him before, still dont want him.

[Tatterdemalion]

On a more serious note, I'm not convinced that Wirtz and Isak will fit into a more aggressive style of play.

[Tatterdemalion]

Not sure how I feel about only having a 2/10 reputation

Not that I am remotely interested at all given such considerations are far beneath a man of my standing, but how exactly does one improve 'reputation'? I have a 'friend' of low repute who requires an answer... Well I say 'friend', more of a 'cause' than a 'friend'.

[MosRay]

100%, we have potentially one of the most intimidating stadiums in the world when the fans are on it & we need to use that 12th man to our advantage. Some teams have already lost the game before it starts, we need teams dreading the fixture.

Couldn't have put it better myself. 100% agree

[memzey]

I don't see how we could have got a manager who was at a WC, the WC final is the 19th July, our first pre-season game is 6 days later, and there were reports of preseason training starting a about 7th July,so I just don't see how that type of approach is practical for anyone if you want to have a good start to the season.

I assume that's the thinking as the importance of a good start shouldn't be underestimated. At the same time the manager's role is so important I think it's worth taking the extra time required to get the right guy in, even if there is some disruption to contend with. Also, there's no guarantee Germany will go that deep into the tournament, although he would have needed to be talking to us now if we wanted him in place in any kind of reasonable timeframe.

I'm not hating on Iraola by the way, not at all, he is clearly a good coach and seems a decent bloke. I just don't see what he has about him to be a successful LFC manager. Seems like something, gravitas perhaps, is missing. It makes this feel like somewhat of a Brendog type appointment, even though I think he will do better than that.

Personally, I think Nagelsmann is more the complete package so I would have waited for him but Hughes and Edwards probably know more than me. We'll see I suppose. I'll support our manager until the end as I have always done, Hodge being the exception.

[danperkins]

I do not know why, but I but it just feels right. I agree his brand of football is what the fan base craves and Anfield will get excited about.
I'm not expecting over night adaptation, but I know we have the right players for his style of football.

I said in a previous post that last year we bought players for a Klopp style of football, Slotball just didn't suit the players we have or bought. Again our plan seems to be the same.

I think this is why there was a sudden change of mind. To got the way Slot wanted to play meant a total reset and change of personnel on the pitch.

Iraola, will allow our players to express themselves, and not restricted their abilities on the pitch.

I'm really excited for the coming season now, I just wish it wasn't a month away ????

100%, we have potentially one of the most intimidating stadiums in the world when the fans are on it & we need to use that 12th man to our advantage. Some teams have already lost the game before it starts, we need teams dreading the fixture.