Andoni Iraola has urged his Liverpool players to earn the backing of the Anfield crowd, acknowledging that the atmosphere supporters create must first be sparked from within the pitch. The Spaniard, who signed a two-year deal with the club last month, was speaking outside the AXA Training Centre where he completed television interviews and posed for photographs.
Iraola addressed concerns among supporters about a lack of dynamism in the team’s play last season, making clear what he expects from his side. “You can feel the stadium and I would love to have this every time we play — but that has to come from us, from inside the pitch,” he said. “We have to be a team that works hard — is intense, aggressive, and vertical — so everyone can identify and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team.”
The manager arrives at Liverpool having previously managed AEK Larnaca in Cyprus, Spanish clubs Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano, and most recently Bournemouth. Despite the scale of the step up, Iraola expressed confidence in his readiness. “I’m ready for it. I understand this is a massive club,” he said, adding that he intends to embrace life in the city rather than confine himself to the training ground and home.
On the transfer front, Iraola confirmed two signings have already been made — including a deal for Jeremy Jacquet agreed in January — but stressed that more arrivals are needed. “We need more players, we know this. The club is working on this,” he said. Of his current squad, only Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz, Iraola’s first signing, remain involved in the tournament, representing Argentina and Spain respectively.
Iraola also spoke candidly about the scrutiny that comes with managing one of the world’s biggest clubs, while making clear he has no intention of changing his approach. “Everything I say now is going to get the biggest scrutiny. You have to be very aware of the mistakes but I wouldn’t like to be too careful,” he said. “I don’t want to be in a place because I have a contract. I signed for two years but it’s basically year to year when you are a coach.”
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
