Ahead of the new Premier League season, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was interviewed by Men in Blazers host Roger Bennett at the club's training ground, discussing his new era managing The Reds. Iraola spoke about his plans for the team's future, the immense pressure of competing in the Premier League and Champions League, his approach to using Wirtz and Alexander Isak, and how he plans to win over Liverpool's fans. Below is the first part of that interview.

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Andoni, this Liverpool job is your first time managing a club where fans expect a top-four finish. It's your first time taking over a squad full of superstars. It's also your first experience with the Champions League challenge. What made you think that now is the right time for you to take on all three of these challenges simultaneously as Liverpool manager?

For me, clearly, this is probably my first real opportunity to manage players of this caliber. I think the demands will be quite different, but the players I'll have will also be different from before. Some things will be new experiences for me, like managing in the Champions League and dealing with such a demanding and congested schedule. But honestly, I'm ready, and I'm excited to begin this new journey.

I'm from Liverpool (an Everton fan), and I love seeing you integrate into this remarkable city. You seem to have grasped its essence. You appear to understand that this club and city are shaped by their political and social history. Can you tell us how you understand what Liverpool fans expect from this club?

I think this is a very special place. You feel it immediately. Once you start talking with people who live here, who were born and grew up here, you feel a different sense of belonging. They consider themselves different, or special. I love that, I really do. It's not so different from my hometown. I also understand these deep-rooted traditions. I think I do understand these things, yes.

So, what do they expect from their team?

I think they expect the team to represent them, and they will firmly support the team at all times. Many people say that here, supporters cheer for tackles, celebrate good pressing, and they like the team to keep moving forward at high tempo. Of course, like everyone else, they also appreciate beautiful football. They want their team to win, but they also want to win in a certain way and enjoy it in the process.

Let's talk about your new role. You've taken over a Liverpool team that won the league title two years ago. Last season they struggled more, suffering 12 defeats on their way to finishing fifth. Andoni, when you watched footage from last season, what was the first thing you noticed that you wanted to adjust?

I think, clearly, if I'm here, it's because the club wanted to make some changes, right? I think the previous manager was very, very good. I think Arne Slot did... He managed here for two years, and he was Premier League champion, which is remarkable. But the team needed some changes. I don't think they chose me because I had a great end to my season. I think they may have liked my team's style. The way we played at my previous club, and now the idea is to try to implement those things. Of course, we also know that the ambitions and challenges are different now, and we're in the process of that transition.

So, what about your style? If you had to describe it in a few words... Can you describe your style for us?

It's not easy, because ultimately, it's difficult to evaluate yourself and the way your team plays. But I think everyone understands it. I spent three years in this league, the Premier League, and even when I first arrived, the players already knew, okay, we probably know what you're asking from us. We know how your team operates. I'm very grateful because they've tried to understand all the details. Time is very short. I try to introduce all the concepts. Sometimes it's difficult to bring it all together; there's too much information. But I'm pleased because in terms of focus and effort to understand our tactical intent, they've given everything. "Okay, you don't like this? Or, okay, I understand." And once I see them even discussing, debating with each other on the pitch, I think, "No, this is a good start. This is good." Even if it's not perfect, because our next goal is that you yourselves must be the first to correct it, to find solutions. When I see them in the first half, they spend twice as long debating, "No, because we said we should do this, then press, then we, I'm here to support, then..." You know, it's a beginning, and I think it will have a good ending.

They need to make your philosophy their own.

Yes, exactly right.

Last summer, the team brought in big-name reinforcements, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, both of whom struggled last season, failing to rediscover their creative confidence and presence on the pitch. But there's no doubt both are supremely talented. How do you diagnose what you need to do to get both back to their best and scoring?

I think the most important thing is that they themselves are good players. There's no doubt that they are exceptional players. Therefore, we must try to position them where they can play to their strengths and display their abilities. I think they both had a very good pre-season. I don't know how the new season will go, but I think both are in good condition right now and can have a strong season, yes.

Especially Wirtz—can you talk about what you're planning to make him a core creative force for your team?

Yes, I think Florian understands football very well. With or without the ball, he knows exactly which spaces to move into, who's marking him, how he should run, and how to hurt the opponent. Sometimes he's too eager to get on the ball, because he always wants to be involved, always wants to touch it. Sometimes I have to tell him, "Sometimes you need to keep your distance, wait, be a bit more patient, let the ball come to you, then you go and hurt the opponent." But I think he truly loves the game. He always asks the right questions, and you can feel it immediately.

Can you talk about the defense? Joe Gomez's injury means you have to choose between different options to find a partner for your iconic Van Dijk at center back. Can you tell us about this process and how you make your decisions?

Yes, I think it's a huge advantage that we have Virgil Van Dijk, right? I'd say Virgil is one of the best center backs, if not the best, of the last decade, right? I think we need to find the right partner alongside him. We thought that with Jaqüe and Leny, we have center backs we've long wanted to have here. We also faced situations with Joe previously—he can play as center back and right back. We also trust Conor Bradley. I think he'll be a long-term solution at right back. So, I think bringing in Araujo makes sense because, ultimately, he's a player I know very well from La Liga. He's a center back who can also provide cover for us at right back. I'm very pleased with the depth in our defense now. I think once Leny returns and Joe Gomez recovers from injury, we'll be well-equipped defensively.

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