Sunderland star reveals Liverpool change under Andoni Iraola after 'surprising' Arne Slot tactic

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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesAndoni IraolaSunderland defender Dan Ballard has revealed the Liverpool change he felt from the Reds under Andoni Iraola after a "surprising" Arne Slot tactic in last year's Premier League gamesAndoni Iraola and Dan Ballard.(Image: Getty Images)Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has outlined the difference between Arne Slot's Liverpool and Andoni Iraola's version of the Reds after facing them in pre-season this weekend.Ballard's side lost 4-2, with the Liverpool goals scored by Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas. "I think the new gaffer sets the team up in the press very differently and he is very intense in the way he wants his teams to play."We did a lot of work looking at the Bournemouth team of last year, and they are very aggressive in their press, and they play very vertically and go straight for goal."That is a little bit different from Slot's team, which was a little more possession-based.

"Whatever he's been doing at Bournemouth, it's obviously worked."He's one of the best managers in the league. He's come here and he's taught me varied and different playing styles.

He's telling me things I've never heard of before. It's a credit to Andoni.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.