LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp described as ‘real coaching’ the turnaround in Cherries’ form, stating how much he admired Andoni Iraola’s work on the south Coast.

Cherries ended 2023 in fine form, winning six of their last eight Premier League games to shoot up the league table, which Liverpool sit atop of.

Their recent run was in stark contrast to their form to start the season, with Iraola taking 10 Premier League games to secure a first league win as Cherries boss.

Cherries host Liverpool on Sunday, welcoming the Reds to Dean Court (4:30pm).

Liverpool and Cherries have crossed paths twice already this season, the Reds coming out on top in the reverse fixture at Anfield 3-1 in August, before advancing 2-1 in the EFL Cup at Vitality Stadium in November.

“That was a tricky game for Spurs,” Klopp began when it was pointed out that Cherries had lost just once in their last nine games across all competitions.

“When you don’t play them at the weekend, I really have time to admire what he (Andoni Iraola) is doing there. Obviously it was a very difficult start for him at Bournemouth with the manager change and all these kinds of things.

“I didn’t know a lot about him.

“The start of the season, obviously the results, if you don’t take a proper look at Bournemouth it can happen.

“But they turned it around, wow.

“That’s real coaching. He found a way to set this team up.

"They have a really good mix, they play football, they find direction in the right moments, they use Dom Solanke in a sensational way.

"The support he gets from the centre, from the wings.

"The way they defend, really good, really compact. So that’s proper. It will be a difficult game, definitely.

"But, I don’t think they are now preparing a game against us and think “thank god, Liverpool are coming.”

"Because we feel good as well, I want us to show that as well.

“So, we are ready for a tough game. In the Premier League I can’t remember the last matchday it was not tough, probably because it never has happened.

“They have my respect, definitely.”