Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterAs Liverpools title defence faltered last season and the team slumped to a fifth-placed finish, many believed that a lack of intensity in their style of play was to blame.The Reds would finish 25 points behind Premier League champions Arsenal, with Arne Slot paying the price as the club moved to replace him with former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.The Spaniard has built his managerial reputation on an intense, relentless style, with former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch believing that Liverpool fans will quickly warm to the new boss.Crouch on Iraolas playing styleThe pressing that Andoni Iraola demands of his players is off the charts, Crouch tells FourFourTwo, before admitting that he would not have enjoyed playing under the former Spain international.That wasnt my game I used to quite like pretending to close an opponent down, then when he ran past me, Id have a little rest! You may like Andoni Iraola must change habit of a lifetime to succeed at Liverpool Andoni Iraola told FourFourTwo exactly why he'd join Liverpool... in 2024 Liverpool as we knew them under Jurgen Klopp have seemingly vanished, but can Andoni Iraola restore the culture that was eroded after the German's departure? Liverpool 2026-27 season preview And while Crouch does not see himself as fitting the modern-day style of pressing from the front, he insists that running was never an issue for him.If it was getting on the end of crosses, Id run for you all day, he continues. But this constant running up and down, closing your marker and bending your run, it makes me tired just watching it.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Crouch, therefore, has enormous respect for players capable of doing both jobs.I have huge admiration for players who can do both, though: press and win the ball high up the pitch, and also get in the box and score goals.The best Liverpool sides of recent years have been defined by their intense style of play and Crouch believes Iraola will be a hit at Anfield.Liverpool fans will take to Iraolas style, he adds.Its more direct, more all-action, whereas Arne Slots play was more pedestrian.TOPICSPeter CrouchPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromEd McCambridgeStaff Writer
