Liverpool may come to regret not pursuing Xabi Alonso, and a very similar situation is now developing with Andoni Iraola.
Arne Slot remains unpopular with a large section of the fanbase after a miserable season, and fan-favourite Alonso’s appointment at Chelsea has only made that frustration worse. If Liverpool’s internal review of Slot leads them towards a managerial change, Iraola feels like the best fit left on the market.
The problem is that he may not be there for much longer. Clubs are circling, and Liverpool risk watching another obvious candidate move elsewhere while they sit on their hands.
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Andoni Iraola attracting serious interest as Liverpool debate Slot’s future
Iraola has done an outstanding job at Bournemouth, turning the Cherries into one of the most energetic, aggressive and tactically impressive teams in the Premier League.
His football is fast and front-footed. That makes him a natural fit for Liverpool, especially at a time when the club are desperately searching for the intensity that defined them under Jurgen Klopp.
According to TEAMtalk, Iraola is now attracting serious interest after deciding to leave Bournemouth this summer. Crystal Palace have already made a move, while Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart are all said to admire him.
Liverpool are also reported to be firm admirers, although no formal talks have taken place at this stage.
Iraola is young, experienced and intelligent. He looks ready to take the next step, and the relationship with Richard Hughes — who was instrumental in bringing him to Bournemouth — could help Liverpool if they decide to act.
But the longer they wait, the more dangerous this becomes.
FSG are set to review Slot’s position in the coming weeks, and it is hard to criticise the club for taking proper time over such a huge decision. If there is genuine doubt, they need to understand that managers like Iraola do not stay available for long.
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A sour end could be in store…
The Alonso links may have been largely fan-driven, but they stuck because they made sense. He felt like the natural next Liverpool manager, and instead he will be competing against the Reds in the Premier League with Chelsea next season.
Liverpool cannot afford to let that happen again.
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