​Liverpool’s Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on October 17, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / | AFP via Getty Images On Wednesday Iraola’s Reds welcome Chelsea to Anfield in the EFL Cup in what will be the first clash with Liverpool’s former player since the summer of supporters overwhelmingly wanting Alonso to be our new head coach. After the weekend’s Premier League games Liverpool are sitting in fourth just one point behind Brighton and two points above Chelsea which would indicate that both head coaches are settling in with their new clubs and squads. For this writer that doesn’t tell the whole story because it’s also about the different personalities and preferred approaches to playing the game.As Liverpool supporters we’ve been involved in a constant debate about whether the two summers of bringing in expensive players was worth it as well the stark truth of a squad that lacks real quality in depth. As the new season has progressed it’s become clear that Iraola’s eagerness to encourage and improve young hopefuls has been a vital part of how the depth issue has been addressed and perhaps a method which has helped win over the Anfield faithful.In contrast to this, Chelsea’s Alonso brought in ex-Red captain Jordan Henderson and Brighton’s Danny Welbeck to add maturity to his stacked squad. Both are in their 30’s and they are both signings that few of their fans or pundits would have even considered targets or wanted players but it makes sense as the Chelsea approach has been collecting young stars on long contracts to little effect.For this writer it’s been interesting to reflect on the decision FSG made last summer to bring in a head coach who had never experienced navigating a squad who are competing in four competitions before nor a club of Liverpool’s stature in the footballing world.The choice seemed to have been made due to Iraola’s high energy style of football and probably also due to his incredible ability to get more from less (very much like Jurgen Klopp) whilst also improving every player along the way. This is the area that also tells of the personality that is Andoni Iraola and how much of a contrast that is to former head coach Arne Slot whose approach was far more pragmatic with the default tactic of insuring the Reds defensive unit had to have a one player advantage at all times. Iraola sets up the team in a much more ma