Iraola mirrors Slot's dressing-room rule as Liverpool eye Bournemouth's Alex Scott

Andoni Iraola has signalled a notable philosophical continuity with sacked predecessor Arne Slot in his opening days as Liverpool head coach, while the club are reportedly monitoring Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott as a potential first signing of the new era.

In a club-released video documenting his first day at Liverpool’s Kirkby training base, Iraola addressed his attitude toward the players’ dressing room with a directness that will feel familiar to supporters. “I try not to come because I know the players, they think of it as a safe space,” the 43-year-old Basque coach said.

The sentiment closely mirrors comments made by Slot when he arrived at Kirkby in the summer of 2024. The Dutchman, who was sacked earlier this month after guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title, told players he wanted them to speak freely in the dressing room without fear of his presence. “After the session, they should talk about us, me, in here, with all the freedom they have, instead of being afraid that I constantly walk around,” Slot said at the time.

Iraola built his reputation for a direct, high-intensity style of play at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth, and that approach is widely expected to be transplanted to Anfield. His shared instinct with Slot on player autonomy behind closed doors suggests a degree of cultural continuity beneath any tactical shift.

On the transfer front, reports indicate that Scott, 23, is emerging as a name of interest for Liverpool’s hierarchy. Concerns over the consistency of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister during the latter stages of last season are said to have prompted the club to look at the Bournemouth playmaker, a player Iraola managed directly on the south coast.

Scott himself spoke warmly of his former manager ahead of Iraola’s Liverpool unveiling. “What can Liverpool expect from Iraola? He is obviously a great manager,” Scott said. Bournemouth are reportedly keen to secure the midfielder on a new contract, but the noise around his future is described as growing.