Liverpool boss Iraola demands 'ruthless' display against former club Bournemouth

[p]Iraola left [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bournemouth/OtpNdwrc/"]Bournemouth[/a] to take charge at Anfield in the close-season after a successful spell with the Cherries.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/bournemouth-OtpNdwrc/liverpool-lId4TMwf/?mid=joCde00k"]The 44-year-old's first return to the Vitality Stadium[/a] will be an emotional occasion as he reunites with the players and staff he grew close to during three years on the south coast of England.[/p][p]Iraola knows he cannot afford to let sentiment get in the way of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a]'s hunt for just their second Premier League win this season.[/p][p][b]"I think in the personal side I'm really looking forward to meeting and hugging them, players that I love, staff that I have worked with that I appreciate so much,"[/b] Iraola told reporters on Friday.[/p][p]"I was pushing for them yesterday when they were playing their first European game. I wish them all the best. But there is another part that is the most important one right now.[/p][p][b]"That we need to go there and win and beat them and be as ruthless as possible. And leave all the talking for after the game."[/b][/p][embed guid="e4c44bb2-97f2-4697-a1ac-693d9e5f641a" url="https://x.com/LFC/status/2100887806570607005" social-type="twitter" /][p]The Spaniard guided Bournemouth to a 3-2 victory against Liverpool when the sides met at the Vitality Stadium in January.[/p][p]Iraola cannot afford for Liverpool to suffer the same fate this season.[/p][p][b]The Reds have made a spluttering start in the Premier League, drawing three of their first four matches.[/b][/p][p]Wins in the Champions League and League Cup have extended Iraola's unbeaten start to six games, but he needs a victory over his old team on Sunday to keep the critics at bay.[/p][p]Iraola knows Bournemouth's squad well enough to take advantage of their flaws, but he is well aware his former players could also exploit their knowledge of his tactics.[/p][p][b]"I know where we are going and I know the stats they have there. I think you see all the games they've lost in a long while, you realise how difficult it is to beat Bournemouth," [/b]he said.[/p][p]"I suppose I have the advantage that I know them very well. But they have the advantage that they know me very well.[/p][p][b]"The main ideas and the philosophy, I was lucky also to talk to Marco Rose (the current Bournemouth manager) before leaving. It hasn't changed too much. They continue to be very dangerous."[/b][/p][embed guid="3a7cc85d-78dc-4e99-ae43-6c30622ee5ee" url="https://x.com/LFC/status/2100661062752186743" social-type="twitter" /][p]Iraola said [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wirtz-florian/0Q5gjImi/"]Florian Wirtz[/a] will get no special treatment after Germany boss Jurgen Klopp claimed the Liverpool playmaker cannot be expected to deliver match-winning moments in every game.[/p][p]Wirtz has endured a choppy time at Anfield since arriving from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayer-leverkusen/4jcj2zMd/"]Bayer Leverkusen[/a] in 2024.[/p][p][b]"He should be judged like everybody. I always say, 'how does the team play when you are on the pitch?'" [/b]Iraola said.[/p][p][b]"I rate Florian very highly; he understands what we need from him, he is trying to help in every aspect of the game.[/b][/p][p][b]"Obviously he will also want to add assists or goals but he is helping us in a lot of different areas."[/b][/p][infobox id="02b45e73-9abc-454d-882a-650a1a621f7d" /]