Alvaro Arbeloa reveals what he noticed about Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool after watching them v Atletico Madrid
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It has been a tough start to life as a Premier League manager for former Liverpool right-back Alvaro Arbeloa, who brings his Fulham team to Anfield on Saturday.The Spaniard has suffered defeat in all three of his league matches in charge of the Cottagers so far, and having watched Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, he is expecting another difficult game this weekend.The Reds were impressive against Atletico, and having admitted to watching the game during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arbeloa shared what he noticed about Liverpool’s playing style. Alexander Isak is looking to continue his impressive start to the season vs Fulham but how do you think Andoni Iraola has helped him rediscover his best form?
Credit: Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images Arbeloa impressed by high-energy LiverpoolAs well as Arbeloa being a former Liverpool player, Saturday’s match is notable for the first managerial meeting of two old teammates from the Spanish national team.Andoni Iraola confirmed that he knew Arbeloa well during his own pre-match meeting with the press on Friday, and when asked about his opposite number and his team later in the day, Liverpool’s former No. 2 said that he has been impressed by what Iraola has already implemented at Anfield.“I played with Andoni in the national team, and obviously we faced each other many, many times in La Liga,” he said.
“I know him very, very well.“I saw him when he was the coach of Mirandes, Rayo Vallecano, and after in Bournemouth, so I know that he’s an amazing coach, and I’m not surprised that now he’s the coach of Liverpool.READ MORE: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Fulham as Andoni Iraola decides whether to risk Bradley Barcola“He has been doing amazing work here in the Premier League, and now in Liverpool you can see they are playing in the style that he’s always playing with his teams, and of course it will be so difficult for us tomorrow.”Asked about the playing style specifically, Arbeloa said that Liverpool’s aggressive nature and high pressing have caught his eye especially.“You can see that they are improving, and they are now controlling better the games, and obviously I think they were a little bit unlucky in some games,” he said. Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images“I watched the game against Atletico de Madrid, against a very tough team in the Champions League, and they did a very good game.“They are so aggressive, they press high, they want to control the game, and of course, they are so, so, so quick in front, and have players with a lot of quality – top, top players, and I think a top squad.“They are a team that put a lot of crosses, too, so we have been working on how we can defend them, and also we will have our chances for sure.”With Liverpool improving and Fulham yet to get off the mark in the Premier League, Reds fans will be hoping it is four defeats in four for Arbeloa and the Cottagers.