AI is taking over at Anfield and, funnily enough, Andoni Iraola’s first official engagement as Liverpool boss felt like artificial intelligence had really arrived.Not because he was robotic in his body-language and words, as some managers are. Anything but. Instead, it was because everything he said was note perfect, as if he had been programmed to only give inspiring, well-informed and measured responses.It is easy to fall into the trap of falling for every word a new boss says, of course. The first press conference is always a chance for some easy wins: say a few buzzwords and the supporters will be salivating, especially this fanbase which has been eager for change.Former Bournemouth boss Iraola knows that as much as anyone and recognises that his words mean diddly squat if they aren’t backed up with results on the pitch. Yet, as far as opening addresses go, the Basque nailed it.Daily Mail Sport was in the room and has picked out some of the biggest talking points from the man tasked with turning around Liverpool’s fortunes after a dismal campaign cost Arne Slot his job… Andoni Iraola was officially unveiled as Liverpool’s new manager today – and everything he said was note perfect The Basque boss gave well-informed and measured responses that will have been music to Liverpool fans’ earsWords to fill fans with confidenceIt won’t make the same headlines as Jose Mourinho declaring himself ‘The Special One’ or even Jurgen Klopp insisting that he wanted to turn Liverpool ‘from doubters into believers’ but Iraola’s first words will be worth looking back on next spring.‘I would like to give them (the fans) a team they can feel proud of,’ he said when asked about his objectives. ‘I think football and especially Liverpool is about connecting.‘Connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters. I’ve been on the other side at Anfield. I’ve experienced the goal that (Federico) Chiesa scored on the first day of the season (against Bournemouth last year).‘You can feel the stadium, I would love to have this every time we play but that has to come from us, inside the pitch. We have to be a team that works hard, intensely, aggressively, vertically so everyone can be identified and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team.’Last season, Liverpool fans – even the most hardened Slot backers – could not feel too much pride watching a team with a weak defence and uninspiring attack.Even when they won matches, they were hardly thrilling displays that got bums off seats, while Anfield became less a fortress and more a place where teams would rock up and fancy their chances – the Reds won just 10 of 19 home games, compared to 14 the year before.Iraola wants to change that and intends to do so with a high-octane style of play, though the 10 home draws he managed at Bournemouth might not go down too well here if that were replicated. Iraola wants to get Liverpool fans excited with a high-octane style of play, having experienced a raucous Anfield atmosphere on previous trips with Bournemouth ‘We have to be a team that works hard, intensely, aggressively, vertically so everyone can be identified and feel comfortable supporting us’Righting the wrongs of SlotFor 12 months, Slot could have walked into any bar in Liverpool and received a free pint (not that he would, as he kept a low profile). He was a hero and fans loved him after he brought them some of the best days of their lives with the Premier League title win of 2024-25.For the next year, though, he was better off keeping his head down. From hero to zero in the eyes of many. By the end, pretty much everything the Dutchman said and did was criticised, some of it justifiably and some of it unfairly.Whenever a manager has been sacked, the new guy can achieve some small wins. ‘Manager X reverses ban on ketchup,’ is the usual headline, soon to be followed a year later by ‘Manager Y bans ketchup at the training ground’.But Iraola said some things in this press conference that suggested he will do things very, very differently to Slot.For example, the Basque insisted he wanted to get a true feel for the city of Liverpool, immersing himself in the culture and taking some pictures.He said: ‘I would also like to go to the city, experience the city: I know some places, I would have to take some pictures. But it’s also part of the magic of being the Liverpool manager and I would like not to change too much.’See you in PopWorld on Friday night then, Andoni? Maybe not, but this approach delighted fans after Slot decided to live in Cheshire, away from the hubbub of Liverpool.It may seem an unreasonable stick to beat a manager with, added to the fact Slot was criticised for spending lots of his days off with family back in the Netherlands, but it is something the supporters care about. Iraola’s first press conference suggested he will avoid the excuses that caused his predecessor Arne Slot (left) to come under fire from fans Not here to make excusesAnother thing Slot was criticised for was how, in the eyes of outsiders, he would be full of excuses. He would often complain about injuries, referees and how his team struggled to convert chances into goals against stubborn defences.Iraola, though, insisted: ‘I prefer to face low blocks. We’ll be in control of the game, we’ll concede less chances and spend a lot of time in the opposition half. Those are the scenarios we have to face.’Instead of complaining, the new boss says he is looking forward to working out how to unlock teams who come to defend.Relaxed, personable demeanourYou need not be a body-language expert to read Iraola’s mood on Monday morning: grinning like a Cheshire cat, plenty of toothy smiles, polite hand-shakes, eye-contact, trying to answer all questions rather than side-stepping them (that might not last!) and all done in a relaxed manner.He came across as a likeable individual and that can only be a positive thing for all concerned, be it staff or players.Iraola was also prompt and took his seat at exactly 11am, not a minute early and not a minute late. It’ll keep the broadcasters happy at least.Ready to give youth – and Harvey Elliott – a chanceSeveral first-team players were at Liverpool’s HQ on Monday, including new defensive signing Jeremy Jacquet, Iraola’s ex-Bournemouth charge Milos Kerkez and a few youngsters looking to impress the new boss.Harvey Elliott has already been back for a week, having trained with the Under 21s, and he will be given a chance to prove himself this pre-season. Iraola said Harvey Elliott (pictured) will get a chance to impress in pre-season following his disappointing loan to Aston Villa His former Bournemouth player Milos Kerkez (pictured) will be another out to impress on tour in the USThe 23-year-old signed for Aston Villa last summer on a loan deal that would become permanent when he made 10 appearances. It was seen as a foregone conclusion he would be staying at Villa Park for good but it never came to fruition as it was clear Unai Emery did not fancy him.Now Elliott is back and Iraola said: ‘I’ve seen him with this eagerness to show himself, to get himself ready again. He will have a chance during the pre-season, we will need him.‘Harvey, last season had to be very difficult for him, because it was a strange situation where basically they couldn’t even put him in to play.‘I think he uses what he has experienced, the bad situation, to make him even more eager to be a Liverpool player.’Youngsters will also be given chances to impress under Iraola this pre-season, with the squad to travel to Chicago next Monday. The Reds play three friendlies, with the tour also taking in Nashville and New York.Calmed fans over quiet transfer windowLiverpool fans are an anxious bunch at the best of times, always hungry for news updates. The fact this summer has been rather quiet in terms of transfer rumblings has sent some poor souls into overdrive.Iraola calmed fears that they might be going to go into the season undercooked, though, by saying: ‘We’ve signed two players (Jacquet and winger Victor Munoz). We need more, we know this.‘We are working on this. As a coach I want the players here from day one, selfishly, but we know it doesn’t work like this, we’re working hard for those signings.’Iraola impressed in his first briefing. Now it is time for the higher-ups to provide him with a competitive squad with a few fresh faces. Next stop Chicago.