Liverpool are feeling good again under Andoni Iraola and are slowly clicking into gear under their new manager.
The Reds look more energetic and fitter as they are pressing from the front, which has drawn comparisons with the great Liverpool teams under Jurgen Klopp.
Virgil van Dijk has been speaking to the media ahead of the Reds’ Premier League clash against Arsenal.
And when asked if Klopp and Iraola’s philosophies are similar, the Liverpool skipper gave a rather elaborate response.
Virgil van Dijk on Liverpool under Andoni Iraola
“I think it’s a different era, different times,” said the Dutchman via the Liverpool Echo. “Under Jurgen, we pressed a lot with shuffling across.
“We tried to box them in one side, but football has changed. So it’s different, but what isn’t different is the amount of sprints and running and trying to get the ball back as soon as possible.
“The manager can obviously put the plan out, but we as players have the responsibility to execute it and win the game as well.
“With the help, of course, of the manager and the staff, but we on the pitch are the ones that have the most influence.
“It’s still a work in progress, but if you defend with a lot of intensity you have a big chance to win the ball high.
“Obviously sometimes that creates some risk and it could be vulnerable, but we’re working on it a lot in order to be able to take that risk, but still not be as vulnerable as we have been at times.”
Iraola’s philosophy is cut from the same cloth as Klopp’s as Liverpool are trying to win the ball back higher up the pitch to take teams apart on the counter-attack.
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