Why Liverpool want Iraola and what he could bring to Anfield

Why Liverpool want Iraola and what he could bring to AnfieldImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Andoni Iraola is expected to replace Arne Slot as Liverpool bossByAadam PatelFootball reporterPublishedJust nowCommentsThe connection between Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, and Andoni Iraola is well documented - with Hughes in post as technical director at Bournemouth when the Spaniard got his first break in English football in 2023.Iraola finished the job this season with an 18-game unbeaten run that saw the Cherries 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 to Bournemouth, so it is little surprise his is a career light on silverware - the Cypriot Super Cup in 2018 remains the only trophy he has won as a manager. But 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 gracePublished2 days agoLiverpool sack head coach Slot and approach IraolaPublished2 days agoBringing a 'high risk' style of footballOne 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 d...