Andoni Iraola has described his football style as closer to Jurgen Klopp’s than Arne Slot’s, while insisting it is not a criticism of his predecessor.
Iraola was appointed as Liverpool’s new head coach because of his intense, direct style and emphasis on high pressing.
His approach is more reminiscent of Klopp, while Slot favoured greater control and possession.
Speaking to Steven Gerrard on TNT Sports, Andoni Iraola explained that Klopp’s style is a closer reflection of his own.
“Probably closer to Jurgen, I would say,” Iraola said when asked whose approach more closely mirrored his.
“But I loved a lot of the things that the team had with Arne also,” he insisted.
He added: “We need to keep being vertical, keep attacking, keep sometimes taking some risks, but I wouldn’t like to lose the good things that our players have also.”
“I always tell the players, the fans have to feel that if they were in your position, they would do exactly the same as you are doing.
“The fans probably cannot put a free-kick in the top corner, but they are thinking: ‘If I was there, I would give everything, I would follow every ball, I would attack the spaces, I would press, I would hit the ball, I would win the seconds’.
“We have to do all those basics well. When the fans feel this, and they are trying, and they are giving everything, it keeps the team closer to the fans.
“When you create this connection, I think we are going to be much, much better. We have to do our part, because I’m sure if we do our part, the other side will be there.”
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