Iraola says Araujo needed Barcelona change as Barcola adapts to Premier League

Andoni Iraola says Ronald Araujo needed a change in his career after leaving Barcelona, while admitting Bradley Barcola will need time to adjust to the Premier League.

The Bournemouth manager was speaking ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Vitality Stadium, where he will face his former club after leaving in June.

“I am really looking forward to seeing them and giving them a hug – the players I love and the staff I worked with and appreciate very much,” said Iraola. “I was supporting them yesterday in their first European match and I wish them all the best.

“But the most important thing now is that we go there, win, beat them and be as decisive as possible. We can leave all the talking until after the match.”

Iraola also addressed the debate over Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal against Tottenham, saying the strike did not fit the usual descriptions of a volley or half-volley.

“We need a different word,” he said. “I do not think it was a volley and I do not think it was a half-volley. It was not a volley because the ball bounced, and it was not a half-volley because, for me, a half-volley is when the ball is travelling upwards and you strike it and score.

“This ball bounced, went up and then down again before he hit it. I think we need to find a third word.”

The Bournemouth boss said he was delighted that Rio Ngumoha and Alex Scott had been selected for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

“I am very happy for both of them – they completely deserve it,” Iraola said. “They also went to help the national team before the tournament and I am sure they did a good job. I can only speak highly of both of them. It is a very deserved call-up and they are ready. I hope they enjoy it.”

Bournemouth have a potential physical advantage because Liverpool played in the Europa League on Thursday, although Iraola noted that the situation has usually been reversed.

“We should have an advantage,” he said. “Most of the time it has been the opposite, with us being the team that played last. This time we played two days before our opponent, although we also played in midweek.”

However, Iraola warned that Bournemouth’s record would make them difficult opponents, while both sides’ familiarity with each other could make the contest unpredictable.

“I know where we are going and I know the statistics they have there, not only on the pitch but in general,” he said. “When you see all the matches they have lost over a long period, you realise how difficult it is to beat Bournemouth. I know them very well, but they know me very well too, so you never know who has the greater advantage.”

On Barcola, Iraola said the summer arrival had improved with every appearance after missing pre-season minutes, but still needed time to adapt to English football.

“Like all signings from other leagues, he will need some time to adapt to the Premier League,” he said. “But he is used to playing high-level matches and I see him in a good place.”

Iraola praised Araujo’s attitude since joining on loan from Barcelona, saying: “I think he needed this kind of change in his career.”

He added that the defender had arrived humbly from a major club and was willing to play at right-back or centre-back. Araujo has played more minutes than expected so early in the season, has finished matches strongly without cramp and is coping with the demands of moving between positions.

“I like his spirit,” said Iraola. “Now I am pushing him to learn a little of the language. It would be good for us if he could pass some of his experience to his team-mates through communication, but I assume that will take some time.”