How Andoni Iraola could line Liverpool up with 4 transfers and Alexander Isak change
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Liverpool is looking to move towards a faster and more aggressive style of play next season, with Andoni Iraola appearing to be the man chosen to implement the changesAndoni Iraola on the Anfield bench before Liverpool vs Bournemouth(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)Though Andoni Iraola has no experience of managing a team in the Champions League or working at a club of the size of Liverpool, he does know one thing better than most: the Premier League.In the last 12 to 18 months, in particular, the style of the English top flight has shifted. In Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, there are marquee attacking names to build the forward line around, and Iraola will back himself to get more from the pair.But what lessons can we learn about Iraola from his time at Bournemouth?
How does he tend to set his team up, and how might that map onto the roster that Liverpool already has?Iraola's favored formation is broadly similar. He operated with a 4-2-3-1 for most of last season, with attacking full-backs and a steady base in midfield.Iraola during a Bournemouth training session(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)Milos Kerkez will be more than familiar with what Iraola wants from his defenders, having played under him before.
Others, like Jeremie Frimpong, whose role in the team is more undefined, will be eyeing a clean slate.Bournemouth played with a couple of ball-playing center-backs — something that the departing Ibrahima Konate was not perfect at — and flying full-backs, with a double pivot of Tyler Adams and Alex Scott in front.Liverpool needs more legs in the middle of the park, but the idea that Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai could thrive in a similar set-up is no stretch of the imagination.Out wide, Iraola got the most out of Antoine Semenyo and helped Brazilian starlet Rayan hit the ground running at the Vitality Stadium. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.In Wirtz, Iraola has a quality number 10 in waiting, while his work with Dominic Solanke and then Evanilson on the south coast should be good news for Isak.There were times — as much because of his lack of match fitness than anything else, you suspect — that Isak looked like he was detached from the rest of the Liverpool team in his debut campaign.