Liverpool's first move under Andoni Iraola simply has to be this

Liverpool's first move under Andoni Iraola is now inevitable.

Liverpool fans can finally take a breath and move on from the Arne Slot chapter, and attention is quickly shifting to who might be next in the dugout. If the reports are right, that man could well be Andoni Iraola.

The Spaniard has impressed massively at Bournemouth, turning them into one of the most entertaining sides in the Premier League and even steering them into the Europa League. It’s easy to see why Liverpool have him on their radar.

In many ways, Iraola ticks a lot of boxes for what fans tend to want these days. His teams play with energy, aggression and a clear identity. He also comes across as pretty down-to-earth and approachable, which usually goes down well with players and supporters.

That’s an area where Slot sometimes divided opinion. While he clearly had strengths, there were moments where he looked a bit distant, and at times Liverpool’s style under him didn’t feel fully defined.

Last season in particular, the team often felt like it was caught between different ideas, without fully committing to one clear approach. That lack of clarity occasionally showed in performances on the pitch.

With Iraola, Liverpool would be getting something quite different.

He’s very clear in how he wants his teams to play and doesn’t really drift away from that idea. He trusts his approach, sticks with it, and isn’t afraid to take risks if he feels it’s the right call.

That kind of conviction could suit Liverpool well. There’s plenty of excitement around the possibility of him coming in, but the real challenge would start once he actually takes over.

The long-missed “heavy metal” football from the Jürgen Klopp era could well make a return. You’d expect a much higher level of intensity, with Liverpool once again playing on the front foot and pressing aggressively.

Pre-season would be important, but just as crucial would be the day-to-day training sessions, which would likely be demanding throughout the year.

It might be tough at times and take its toll physically, but over the long run it should leave the squad fitter, sharper and better prepared for matchdays - something Liverpool felt they were missing at points last season.

For Iraola’s ideas to really work at Liverpool, it’s not just about new players - he’ll need the right people around him too.

At Bournemouth, he didn’t bring a huge part of his backroom staff with him, but there was one important exception: Pablo de la Torre. The 36-year-old fitness and conditioning coach has worked closely with Iraola for years, going back to his time at AEK Larnaca and Rayo Vallecano.

De la Torre is known for being high-energy and really hands-on, especially on the training ground. That kind of presence would be key if Liverpool want to get back to the intense fitness levels they had under Jürgen Klopp.

Because of that, it feels like one of the first moves Liverpool would need to make under Iraola is bringing him in. If the club are serious about going in this direction, it’s almost a no-brainer.

It also helps that De la Torre has already left his role at Bournemouth, meaning he’s effectively available right now and ready to step straight into a new job.

Simply put, if Liverpool want to make Iraola’s system work smoothly from day one, getting De la Torre on board feels like an essential step.

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