Andoni Iraola made a move which Arne Slot never would have thought of during Liverpool’s win at Bournemouth

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Liverpool’s win over Bournemouth on Sunday ensured that the feeling around the early part of Andoni Iraola’s reign is a good one going into the first international break of the season.After just one win from their opening four Premier League matches of the campaign, it was imperative that Iraola beat his former side, and though it was not a vintage performance, Alexander Isak’s well-taken goal ensured that the points went home with Liverpool.There was plenty on show that clearly needs improving where Iraola is concerned, but there were also a fair few positives as well. Though the performance of his defence was perhaps the biggest one, the Basque coach’s use of young players like Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni to help the Reds over the line will have been equally pleasing to supporters, especially when compared with the way Arne Slot would have responded in the same circumstances.

Liverpool win at Bournemouth! Alexander Isak's goal was decisive, earning Iraola a huge three points on his Vitality return 💪 Iraola’s trust in young players is refreshingOne of Liverpool fans’ biggest gripes with Slot was that he simply did not utilise the young players at his disposal across his two years in charge.The likes of Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha were afforded some game time, but even then there was an overarching feeling that the pair were being limited by the former head coach.Ngumoha was often used in response to Liverpool needing a goal as games wore on, and while any minutes should be seen as good minutes for youngsters, there was an argument that bringing him on in those kinds of circumstances and asking him to come up with something could have hindered the teenager’s development.Certainly, it is hard to see Slot turning to the likes of Koumas and Nyoni while Liverpool were protecting a win, as Iraola did on Sunday.READ MORE: Liverpool fans were given a clear answer about Trey Nyoni during nervy Bournemouth victoryThe Spaniard even brought Nyoni on before Ryan Gravenberch, with a full 20 minutes left to play, signalling the trust he has in the 19-year-old.Koumas’ appearance was also relatively substantial, as he was trusted with the final nine minutes plus four minutes of added time.

Slot did not do that enough and it ultimately contributed to a feeling of apathy and, at times, dismay towards him.Iraola showed over the summer that he is much more prepared to use the best players in the youth team, and if he had not already backed that up during the season so far, then on Sunday he committed to it completely.Liverpool youngsters repay Iraola’s faithNot only was it fantastic to see Iraola actually put the likes of Koumas and Nyoni on the pitch at all at the Vitality Stadium, but the best thing of all was that they repaid him for it.Had it backfired and Bournemouth came back to score, or even win, Iraola would have taken the blame no doubt, but it would have knocked the young lads back as well.That is why it is a difficult balancing act, and one which you can’t especially blame Slot for not engaging in. If you get it wrong, the consequences can affect the team in terms of results, but also the individual players, whose confidence could be shattered.But the evidence points to the fact that in Koumas and Nyoni – as well as Ngumoha, James McConnell and no doubt several more within the ranks – Liverpool’s young players are good enough to make an impact.