article-image

Scott expects Iraola to emulate Klopp's style of play at Liverpool

3
1
Clock Icon5 HoursFootball

Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott believes that Andoni Iraola can restore the attacking football Jurgen Klopp made successful at Liverpool following his switch to Anfield. 

Iraola was appointed as Arne Slot's successor on Thursday, with the Spaniard signing a two-year contract following an underwhelming season for the Reds in 2025-26. 

Liverpool finished fifth, which was enough to secure Champions League football, though supporters were unhappy with the style of play instilled by Slot in his second campaign. 

The Reds' 60 points were the fewest of any Premier League team to finish fifth or higher since Tottenham in 2006-07 (also fifth with 60), while their 24-point drop between 2024-25 and 2025-26 was the largest by any ever-present top-flight side in those seasons.

Mohamed Salah, who brought the curtain down on his glittering nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, said in a social media post that he wanted to see a return of the "heavy metal" football seen under Klopp that brought so much success to Merseyside. 

And Scott, who flourished under Iraola for Bournemouth in 2025-26, believes the new Liverpool boss is the right man to help oversee a return of a familiar style of play to Klopp. 

"What can Liverpool expect from Iraola? He is obviously a great manager," Scott said.

"You see what we have done as a club at Bournemouth and how we have progressed over the three seasons he was with us.

"I think the way we press out of possession is very aggressive, maybe similar to the early Klopp teams Liverpool had, that fierce aggressiveness and pressing with the wingers.

"I would say he is similar to that. Liverpool fans should definitely be so excited. He has done a lot for me personally."

Iraola enjoyed three successful years with Bournemouth, capping his time at the Vitality Stadium by leading the club to European qualification for the first time in their history. 

The Cherries broke their Premier League points record in each of their seasons under Iraola's stewardship, achieving 48 points in 2023-24, 56 in 2024-25 and 57 in 2025-26.

And key to their success last campaign was Scott, who Iraola signed in 2023 after impressing in the Championship with Bristol City. 

Scott started 36 of his 39 appearances across all competitions for the Cherries in 2025-26, scoring four goals, with only Adrien Truffert (1,312) and Marcos Senesi (1,839) completing more successful passes than the 22-year-old's 1,255. 

Liverpool had a busy summer 12 months ago, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and former Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez arriving at Anfield for big fees, but each struggled to hit the ground running under Slot. 

Scott, however, believes Iraola will get the best out of those players, citing his own improvement under the Spaniard as an example. 

"I have improved loads this season, out of possession and in possession. I feel like I have had his trust," Scott added. 

"Defensively, in my first two seasons, I wasn't at the level to be playing in the Premier League and that is something I had to learn from the players ahead of me in the team.

"But he put his trust in me from the first game of the season and I started and played 34 full games this year, so that is something to be really proud of.

"The manager has been amazing for me, working with me going forward, defensively, being more aggressive, and that is the reason I played most games this season."