According to Fabrizio Romano, Iraola is officially the new Liverpool manager and I think, considering the options available on the market, it is the best choice and the one that best fits the style of the club that Klopp implemented.
It became fashionable to say that Klopp’s Liverpool played “heavy metal football”: high pressing, maximum intensity, a completely German style, the opposite of what works in a more Guardiola-inspired system, based on circulating the ball patiently in the attacking half with time and control.
With that in mind, Arne Slot never really had that style. At least in the season when the team was built for him, with players he specifically asked for, we did not see it.
Liverpool could have sacked Slot earlier and gone for Xabi Alonso, who has a huge connection with the club from his playing days. But here is the point: Xabi Alonso is far more Guardiola-inspired than someone who plays “heavy metal football”.
Iraola had an incredible season with Bournemouth. He has more ability than other options to deal with teams that sit deep, because that is what happens when you manage a big club. And while it is not official yet, there are rumours that, alongside Iraola, Liverpool could also sign Rayan from Bournemouth, who had an incredible six months. This would be to replace Salah.
Conclusion
I am not saying it cannot go wrong, because it is football. But in terms of probability, it is one of the safest appointments they could have made because it is aligned with the idea Klopp left behind. Is that the club’s historical identity? No. But it is a recent identity that worked. Anfield loved it and it left a mark.