How Iraola is moving Liverpool on from the Slot era

Just over a year ago, Liverpool had won their first five Premier League games and appeared destined to defend their title under Arne Slot. It was hard to imagine then that Iraola would eventually replace Slot at Anfield. The volatility of football makes it early to judge Iraola, even though his Liverpool side is currently six points behind their position from last season.

Despite this, Iraola remains unbeaten under his leadership, and he returns to the club where he spent three years. His transition from Bournemouth to Liverpool is certainly an unusual one, having to adapt to a smaller away changing room and the challenges of a busy fixture list. Iraola has settled well in Formby, where former Liverpool managers Jurgen Klopp and Brendan Rodgers also lived, and enjoys cycling along the coastal routes.

While he is very dedicated, often being the first on the training pitch and putting in a 100% effort every day, his presence in the coaches' room is relatively low-key compared to previous managers. Despite the structured nature of the head coach role, Iraola is still learning the intricacies of managing Liverpool's demanding schedule.

His system, which focuses on developing young talent, has seen youngsters like Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni, and Lewis Koumas playing significant roles this season. The club's willingness to listen to other departments, such as the medical and fitness teams, has also been a key factor in Iraola's success.