Andoni Iraola: Liverpool boss wants to give fans 'team to be proud of'

Andoni Iraola has said he wants to give Liverpool fans "a team they can be proud of" and that he is ready for the responsibility of such a high-profile job.

The 44-year-old signed a two-year deal with Liverpool last month after three successful seasons at Bournemouth.

Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League last season, one place ahead of Bournemouth, and Arne Slot was sacked on 30 May.

Supporters at Anfield bemoaned the team's lack of dynamism last season and the Spaniard acknowledged his side must first inspire the Anfield crowd in order to receive vociferous support back.

"I think football and especially Liverpool is about connecting - connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters," he said at his first media conference since being appointed.

"I've been on the other side of it at Anfield. I've experienced the goal that [Federico] Chiesa scored on the first day of last season [Liverpool's winner v Bournemouth].

"You can feel the stadium and I would love to have this every time we play - but that has to come from us, from inside the pitch.

"We have to be a team that works hard - is intense, aggressive, and vertical - so everyone can identify and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team."

Iraola managed AEK Larnaca in Cyprus then Spanish teams Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano before the Cherries, but believes he is prepared for the challenge of one of the world's biggest clubs.

"I'm ready for it. I understand this is a massive club," he said.

"Everything I say now is going get the biggest scrutiny. You have to be very aware of the mistakes but I wouldn't like to be too careful. I would like to act quite normal.

"I'm not going live in my bubble - just at the training ground and home. I would like also to go to the city, experience the city. I know some places I would like to take some pictures of.

"It's part of the magic of being the Liverpool manager and I would like not to change too much."

• Iraola on two-year Liverpool contract

Iraola announced in April that he would leave Bournemouth at the end of the season and then led the club to their first European qualification.

He signed a two-year deal with Liverpool in June, a shorter contract than is usual in top-level football but is consistent with his managerial career.

"In terms of coaching contracts - they don't matter a lot," said Iraola, who signed a two-year deal with Bournemouth before extending it in 2024 by a year.

"I don't want to be in a place because I have a contract. I signed for two years but it's basically year to year when you are a coach.

"I hope I'm going to stay here a lot more than two years, it will mean I have done a very good job. I feel managers have to earn the right to continue every year, especially in clubs like Liverpool. I've always done it like this."

• 'We need more players - we know this'

Iraola said he had spoken to most of the Liverpool players already and had "very good conversations".

The majority of the first-team squad return to Merseyside on Tuesday, with Liverpool's World Cup contingent scheduled to return over the coming weeks.

Only Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz, Iraola's first signing, are still at the tournament for Argentina and Spain respectively.

"Obviously we've signed two players already [a deal for Jeremy Jacquet was agreed in January] but we need more players, we know this. The club is working on this," Iraola added.

"Selfishly I want the players here from day one, ready to train for pre-season, but I understand football doesn't work like this. I know the club is working hard for those signings and I'm trying to help also."

Liverpool are in the market for at least one more attacking signing and defensive reinforcements, while Iraola confirmed Harvey Elliott will be given a chance in pre-season.

Liverpool travel to America next Monday before games against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United.

Elliott, 23, played only 110 minutes for Aston Villa in the Premier League during a season-long loan, with Unai Emery saying the situation was "embarrassing for everyone involved".

Villa had an obligation to make the deal permanent for £35m if Elliott featured in 10 league games, but he played only five.

"Last season had to be difficult for Harvey. It was a strange situation, and I think he uses this experience - the bad situation - to make himself even more eager to be a Liverpool player," said Iraola.