Iraola relishing Liverpool challenge
Andoni Iraola outlined his ambition of giving the Liverpool supporters "a team they can be proud of".
Iraola put pen to paper on a two-year contract with Liverpool last month after his departure from Bournemouth, where he spent three successful seasons.
Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League in 2025-2026, a year on from winning its record-equalling top-flight title under Slot, who was sacked at the end of the campaign.
Iraola's final campaign in charge of Bournemouth capped three years of consecutive growth under his leadership, as it gate-crashed the top six in his final season at the helm.
Now in charge of Liverpool, Iraola acknowledged the importance of connecting with the supporters after their relationship with Arne Slot soured towards the end of the Dutchman's tenure.
"I would like to give them a team that they can be proud of," Iraola said. "Football, especially Liverpool, for me, is about connecting. Connecting with the people, connecting with supporters.
"I've been on the other side, at Anfield. I've experienced it. I always say, the first goal that [Federico] Chiesa scored in the first game of last season, phwoar!
"You can feel the stadium. And I would love to have this every game we play. It has to come from us, from inside the pitch.
"We have to be a team that works hard, intense, aggressive, so everyone can be identified, everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team."
It is expected to be a transitional season at Liverpool, with Slot's style of play criticised for being too passive.
Iraola's front-footed approach and high-intensity style has been likened to that of Jurgen Klopp, and he revealed the players he has spoken with already understand the potential changes that will come on the pitch.
"Obviously, I talked to the players, I talked about the things that are working really well, the things that we can do differently – I wouldn't say better, but differently," he said.
"I think it's different. I have the advantage that players probably already know what we are going to demand in terms of style of play, but we will have time to know each other.
"One thing is to know a player, talk to a player, ask him, 'Where do you feel more comfortable? In this position? In this other one? Where do you see yourself?' I am asking the players these questions so I can understand them.
"But after I see them train, I will do some tests, I will feel things, then I will take decisions from there."
