Andoni Iraola’s good resolution as Liverpool earn enormous win throughout Bournemouth return
Liverpool are back to winning ways – and it’s largely thanks to Andoni Iraola’s inspired decision during his return to Bournemouth and the south coast
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sean Ryan/IPS/Shutterstock (17160148i)
Andoni Iraola manager of Liverpool
Bournemouth v Liverpool, Premier League, Football, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, UK – 20 Sep 2026
Andoni Iraola was back on the south coast on Sunday afternoon, and in a weekend defined by Premier League upsets, it was set up as the perfect banana skin.
The Reds have had a shaky start to the season, but proved their metal as they dug deep to take all three points back up north in the 1-0 win. Alexander Isak was the difference maker – with the famous shirt finally starting to fit on his shoulders.
However, the plaudits have to go to Cody Gakpo – who was once again exceptional for Iraola’s side. The Dutchman looked like he was on his way out of the club just last month, but he’s now their most important player.
Alexander Isak scored the only goal of the game(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Iraola has turned Gakpo into the sort of player that doesn’t just finish off the attack – he’s constantly at the heart of it.
Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, summed it up: “Cody Gakpo is becoming absolutely crucial to this Liverpool team. Look at that run today he drives forward, beats the pressure and creates the assist for Isak.
“He’s not just scoring or waiting for chances anymore; he’s becoming the player who gets Liverpool’s attack moving.”
Cody Gakpo, again, was exceptional(Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)
Isak will take the plaudits, he’s the one that has started to find the net again, but it’s Gakpo who should be stealing the headlines.
Liverpool purchased Bradley Barcola for a pretty penny to fill the rather sizeable shoes of Mohamed Salah, and yet it’s Gakpo that has stepped up with his performances and output in front of goal.
And that is, perhaps, Iraola’s biggest victory as the Liverpool manager so far – getting the attack firing again. However, Iraola still faces a major problem in the form of Florian Wirtz, who looked void of confidence.
Liverpool are firing again(Image: AP Photo/Ian Walton)
The German was misplacing simple passes and looked a shadow of the man that lit up Europe while at Bayer Leverkusen. Iraola might need to leave the German out of his next handful of starting sides.
Liverpool’s situation heading into the international break is looking a whole lot brighter than it did before Sunday’s 2pm kick-offs.
There are still tough tests on the horizon, but murmurs of discontent from the Kop won’t be as loud when the Premier League returns.
