Andoni Iraola

[SB]

There definitely is a very good vib right now a genuinely positive one. We all want to feel the excitement and get that feeling of connection to the club again. I really feel we will get that with Iraola.

Yeah I had no idea about what Slot would bring in terms of style of play before he joined us but only read what the experts predicted & it sounded like he was the ideal fit to replace Klopp. He really wasn’t though in hindsight. More of us have seen how Andoni likes his teams to play & that is worth getting excited about.

[MosRay]

I think all the fans have a renewed sense of optimism ahead of the new season, I think that most people were expecting something of a write-off season if we went into it with Slot in charge with many people expecting him to be sacked by Christmas.

Iraola offers a style of play more in tune with what most people want, less 'baggage' with existing players and a sense of optimism that he might also want to work with and bring youngsters through, let's hope all that happens and we are able to get results on the pitch!

There definitely is a very good vib right now a genuinely positive one. We all want to feel the excitement and get that feeling of connection to the club again. I really feel we will get that with Iraola.

[MosRay]

Will be interesting alright. Basically i think there is a risk that the group of players we signed last summer wont fit into any lfc team??

I was sure that Alonso would be the manager because he made Wirtz such a star at Leverkusen.

Whilst there are no guarantees, what I can say is the recruitment of those players and the data used to back up their purchase was to help improve the squads tactical profile of the 24/25 season and not the Slotball of last season.

Like I say, no guarantees, but they're more suited to a more progressive and pressing style of play.
Let judge them in a coherent system and allow Iraola time to get his philosophy across to the group and then we can assess everyone fairly.

I am actually looking forward to seeing some of our academy players given their chance to shine. We could even see a couple stepping up to the 1st team. Exciting times again that for sure.

[Exiled_red]

I think all the fans have a renewed sense of optimism ahead of the new season, I think that most people were expecting something of a write-off season if we went into it with Slot in charge with many people expecting him to be sacked by Christmas.

Iraola offers a style of play more in tune with what most people want, less 'baggage' with existing players and a sense of optimism that he might also want to work with and bring youngsters through, let's hope all that happens and we are able to get results on the pitch!

[MosRay]

The difference I see in the two right now is Slot set us up to not lose while everything I’ve heard from Iraola is he wants to go out and play to win no matter who or where we are playing. That for me is the approach Liverpool should have, big club wanting to win and beat everyone. It’s not as much about the style it’s the attitude, win and give it everything you have. Do that and I think most of us will be happy and if we aren’t winning we can still be proud of what the team is showing on the pitch. You don’t have to play heavy metal football or be all out attack but I don’t want to see the team playing away from home for a draw or going a goal up and just dropping off at home to teams in the bottom half of the table. Slot gave me small club mentality with his attitude and overly controlling approach.

Absolutely agree with all of that. I'm just so relieved that we will not be subjected to Slots soulless football anymore

[MosRay]

Man, I've been travelling a lot with work as I took on a new role recently and that combined with the change of site has made me more reluctant to post.......... stupid I know but new things take a little time to get used to I guess

Anyway, regarding Iraola, I've emersed myself into all the content about him these past days and I have to say I am very excited. My kid brother lived in Madrid for some years and now in Valencia, he was a Rayo V season ticket holder when Iraola was there and he said that he is absolutely superb as a guy and the team massively progressed year on year. I just like how he conducted himself in the interviews and while they are no doubt coached he comes across natural and I think he will just get us, being from Bilbao will help as that is a city obsessed with football.

His teams work hard and fight and for Liverpool that must be the base, if you have that then the fans will be behind you and the team. I was so pessimistic going into this season regardless of who we signed and now all I can see is positivity, a humble, hard working guy with a plan.......... can't wait

Totally agree with you, and like you can't wait for preseason. Just to get this new era started

[Irishnev]

Man, I've been travelling a lot with work as I took on a new role recently and that combined with the change of site has made me more reluctant to post.......... stupid I know but new things take a little time to get used to I guess

Anyway, regarding Iraola, I've emersed myself into all the content about him these past days and I have to say I am very excited. My kid brother lived in Madrid for some years and now in Valencia, he was a Rayo V season ticket holder when Iraola was there and he said that he is absolutely superb as a guy and the team massively progressed year on year. I just like how he conducted himself in the interviews and while they are no doubt coached he comes across natural and I think he will just get us, being from Bilbao will help as that is a city obsessed with football.

His teams work hard and fight and for Liverpool that must be the base, if you have that then the fans will be behind you and the team. I was so pessimistic going into this season regardless of who we signed and now all I can see is positivity, a humble, hard working guy with a plan.......... can't wait

[MosRay]

Here is the part 2, of the Iraola interview from the official site. it focuses on how he works and how he see things going forward. For those who might not have seen the first part I'll post it below too.

1st

https://youtu.be/8NYTGJQCsfI?is=BBm4R1X1KWhOPP-Z

2nd

https://youtu.be/kt6FIqEvTAo?is=ddPETHvtDq3HBxBl

[peterbread]

The difference I see in the two right now is Slot set us up to not lose while everything I’ve heard from Iraola is he wants to go out and play to win no matter who or where we are playing. That for me is the approach Liverpool should have, big club wanting to win and beat everyone. It’s not as much about the style it’s the attitude, win and give it everything you have. Do that and I think most of us will be happy and if we aren’t winning we can still be proud of what the team is showing on the pitch. You don’t have to play heavy metal football or be all out attack but I don’t want to see the team playing away from home for a draw or going a goal up and just dropping off at home to teams in the bottom half of the table. Slot gave me small club mentality with his attitude and overly controlling approach.

[frank the tank]

Will be interesting alright. Basically i think there is a risk that the group of players we signed last summer wont fit into any lfc team??

I was sure that Alonso would be the manager because he made Wirtz such a star at Leverkusen.

[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.”