Liverpool fans have every right to feel a spark of excitement as Andoni Iraola prepares to take charge at Anfield.

The Spaniard is expected to be confirmed as Arne Slot's successor shortly after flying into Merseyside on Thursday to finalise what's understood to be a two-year deal. It's been a swift process since the decision was taken to part ways with Slot following a disappointing defence of the Premier League title he delivered in his debut season.

But what can Liverpool expect from their new manager? According to Alex Scott, who spent three seasons under Iraola at Bournemouth, the answer should have supporters genuinely excited about what's coming.

"He is obviously a great manager, you see what we have done as a club at Bournemouth and how we have progressed over the three seasons he was with us," Scott explained. "I think the way we press out of possession is very aggressive, maybe similar to the early Klopp teams Liverpool had, that fierce aggressiveness and pressing with the wingers."

That comparison to Klopp's early heavy metal football isn't accidental. Mohamed Salah called for exactly that style to return to Anfield when he posted on social media last month, suggesting Liverpool needed to rediscover the aggressive pressing that made them so formidable during the German's early years in charge.

Iraola appears to be exactly the man to deliver it. Scott's description of the pressing style as "fierce aggressiveness" will resonate with anyone who remembers those electric nights under the lights when Klopp's team would hunt in packs and overwhelm opponents with their intensity.

But it's not just about the tactical approach. What stands out from Scott's assessment is how Iraola develops players individually whilst implementing his demanding system. The midfielder's own journey under the Spaniard tells that story perfectly.

"I have improved loads this season, out of possession and in possession," Scott revealed. "I feel like I have had his trust. Defensively, maybe in my first two seasons, I wasn't at the level to be playing in the Premier League and that is something I had to learn on and learn from the players ahead of me in the team."

That trust proved transformative. Scott started and completed 34 full matches this season, staying injury-free throughout whilst establishing himself as a key player under Iraola's guidance. "The manager has been amazing for me, working with me going forward, defensively, being more aggressive, and that is the reason I played most games this season," he added.

It's precisely this combination of tactical intensity and individual development that Liverpool need right now. The squad possesses quality but has lacked the cohesive pressing structure and aggressive edge that once made them so feared across Europe.

Iraola's work at Bournemouth shouldn't be underestimated either. Taking charge of a club that had been fighting relegation battles, he transformed them into a side that could compete confidently in the Premier League whilst playing an attacking, aggressive brand of football that caught the eye.

Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, clearly identified Iraola as his preferred candidate for good reason. The Spaniard represents everything the club needs: tactical innovation, player development, and that essential Liverpool DNA of never giving the opposition a moment's peace.

Scott's message to Liverpool supporters was clear: "Liverpool fans should definitely be so excited, he has done a lot for me personally." When a player who's worked closely with a manager gives such a ringing endorsement, it carries weight.

The transformation from Bournemouth midfielder to Premier League regular under Iraola's tutelage suggests Liverpool's current squad could be in for something special. If he can elevate players who weren't quite ready for this level into consistent performers, imagine what he might do with the talent already at Anfield.

The heavy metal football is coming home, and Iraola might just be the conductor Liverpool have been waiting for.