'People want to be represented properly' - Iraola

Andoni Iraola says he hopes to bring a style of play featuring "intensity" and "aggressiveness" to Liverpool and create a side that makes fans feel properly "represented".

The Spaniard has penned a two-year deal at Anfield and explained: "I think Liverpool gives me the chance to coach top players, and top players give you the chance to fight for titles. To win titles. Obviously when you arrive at a place, you cannot promise everything. You cannot promise. But it's true that I understand where I'm coming and what is expected. I'm ready for the challenge.

"I think I have the advantage that I've been here already three years in the Premier League and people for sure have seen Bournemouth play. There are some things that obviously we need to change coaching Liverpool. But I wouldn't like to lose our identity, the intensity, the aggressiveness, the organisation, certain things that I would like always to have in my team. Obviously you have to adapt to the players you have and it's not the same, one club or the other, but there are fundamentals that I also think match quite well [with] what Liverpool has been during a lot of years that I think we can make it work."

Iraola takes the helm following the sacking of Arne Slot, who guided the Reds to the Premier League title in 2024-25.

But the 2025-26 season proved frustrating for the Dutchman, with Liverpool's form and style of play heavily criticised by fans.

Ironically, the campaign started with a thrilling win as Slot's side struck late to beat Iraola's Bournemouth at Anfield.

Discussing what it will be like to manage at Anfied, Iraola recalled: "I've been the other side – I still remember the goal [Federico] Chiesa scored at the end of the first game of the season! We were there with 2-2 thinking that probably we could take something. He scored and the place erupted. It was crazy, no? I want now to feel this from the other side. At the beginning when you arrive at any club, I think you need to kind of prove a little bit yourself. You need to earn the right also to belong. I want to do this as quickly as possible so I can also celebrate with them and I can be part properly of those celebrations.

"Football at the end is about emotion. I understand it's also a privilege but also a big responsibility, because all those people want to be represented properly and we are here for this. I would love from my side, from the players' side, so all those people, [to] identify also with the football, identify with the values of the squad and we are all in for this."