Liverpool players must cope with new reality under Andoni Iraola - or else

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In the latest Blood Red column, Ian Doyle looks at the arrival of Andoni Iraola and what that will mean for the Liverpool squadAndoni Iraola hadn't even officially been unveiled as new Liverpool head coach and already he faced his first test.As has become the norm for any major arrival, the club had already bagged content for their website with a lengthy sit-down interview in discussion with the incoming boss.And its simultaneous release with the confirmation of his appointment on Thursday evening gave supporters an opening opportunity to gauge what to make of the new man.The initial response was overwhelming positive, particularly given his declaration that he "wants to become one more of you" when directly addressing Liverpool supporters.There was undoubted truth in what was being said, although it wasn't much different to what any new appointment would say, whether prompted or not. Getting fans onside as quickly as possible will be crucial, and this was an assured initial step.Indeed, given the criticism of Arne Slot, it hasn't taken long for the social media japesters to determine Iraola might be well served to move in to a house by the stadium, deck himself out in Transalpino and never have a day off.But while it was the erosion of the relationship with the fanbase - prompted by a series of poor results and an even more underwhelming style of play - that ultimately did for Slot, that connection isn't the most pressing for Iraola to build.Instead, that will come with his attempts to ensure the playing squad are on board with his ideas and approach.There's no doubt that, in the closing weeks of the season at least, one or more of the Reds players were not pulling their full weight for Slot, whether disillusioned at the cumbersome style of play the Dutchman appeared unable to improve, being forced to operate in unaccustomed roles or left out of the team altogether.The furore over the amount of players who liked Mohamed Salah's post bemoaning the departure of "heavy metal football" may have been played down by some squad members, but clearly there was general agreement something had to change.Slot, in fairness, concurred.

But before he had a chance to put his plan into action, Liverpool decided he was no longer the right man.It perhaps stands to reason, then, that the squad should automatically be behind Iraola given his body of work at Bournemouth. They know what he wants, they have played against his teams.

And they certainly know it will be more - as the Anfield hierarchy has demanded - more front-footed, aggressive and urgent.Instead, it's the players who will surely need to prove they deserve the right to remain at Liverpool. For that to happen, everyone - head coach, coaching staff, players and fans - all have to be on the same page.Liverpool need to rebuild Fortress Anfield in more ways than one.