Andoni Iraola’s return to Bournemouth was always going to carry an emotional edge.

The Liverpool head coach spent three years on the south coast, built strong relationships with players and staff and has made no attempt to hide how much affection he still has for the club.

But sentiment will have to wait.

Liverpool head to the Vitality Stadium on Sunday looking to build on Tuesday night’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham and find greater consistency in the Premier League after taking five points from their opening four matches.

For Iraola, the challenge is slightly different to anything he has faced so far.

Bournemouth know him, and he knows Bournemouth.

A tactical game unlike most

Iraola admitted on Friday that the familiarity between the two sides could make Sunday’s game particularly unusual.

“It’s going to be a tricky one because they obviously know very well what we try to do, on the ball and without the ball,” he said.

“But I also have this advantage – I know their strengths, their weaknesses.”

That could shape the entire contest.

Many of the Bournemouth players Iraola coached remain at the club, while their broader footballing identity has not changed dramatically since Marco Rose replaced him.

“I don’t think they’ve changed too much, definitely not in terms of names,” Iraola explained.

“The main ideas, the philosophy… he hasn’t changed too much, they continue to be very dangerous and a very good team.”

Bournemouth are still waiting for their first Premier League victory of the season, but their performances have not been without encouragement. They also arrive on the back of a significant result in Europe, beating Real Sociedad 2-1 away in their first European fixture.

Liverpool’s energy could be decisive

Liverpool’s own performance levels have fluctuated significantly over the last week.

The goalless draw with Fulham at Anfield was flat, slow and lacking in creativity. Iraola admitted afterwards that his side lacked freshness.

Three days later, after making 10 changes against Tottenham, the difference was obvious.

Liverpool played with greater intensity, aggression and energy, with Iraola describing parts of the 3-1 victory as being close to the version of the team he wants to see.

Sunday presents the next test of whether that intensity can be sustained in the Premier League.

Liverpool should at least have the benefit of greater recovery time.

Iraola’s side played Tottenham on Tuesday night, while Bournemouth were in Spain on Thursday for their Europa League victory over Real Sociedad.

That difference may become particularly important if Liverpool can force the game into the kind of high-tempo contest their manager prefers.

No fresh injury concerns

Liverpool also travel south without any new fitness problems.

Iraola confirmed on Friday that everyone outside the existing injury list was available, with Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa remaining sidelined.

“No, everyone is ready to go,” Iraola said.

“We are in the same place we were, with the three long-term injuries plus Federico – and the others, nothing [no concerns].”

That leaves Iraola with decisions to make following his heavy rotation in midweek.

The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola are all likely to return after being rested or used sparingly against Tottenham, while Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo strengthened their cases with goals in midweek.

Ronald Araujo has also continued to impress since arriving on loan, making six appearances already and producing a standout performance against Atletico Madrid.

Iraola must separate emotion from the job

Away from the tactics, Sunday will inevitably be a significant afternoon personally for Liverpool’s head coach.

“On the personal side, I’m really looking forward to meeting them, to hug them, it’s players that I love, staff that I have been working with, that I appreciate so much,” Iraola said.

“I was pushing for them yesterday when they were playing their first European game and I wish them all the best.

“But there is another part and that is the most important one right now: we need to go there and beat them and be as ruthless as possible.”

That final sentence probably tells the story of the afternoon.

Liverpool cannot afford to get caught up in the emotion of Iraola’s return.

The Reds have shown encouraging signs under their new head coach, particularly against Atletico Madrid and Tottenham, but the Premier League has also exposed recurring problems when their press is beaten and when they struggle to control games for long periods.

Bournemouth will understand those weaknesses better than most.

Liverpool, though, have the advantage of a manager who understands almost everything about the opposition waiting for them.

Whether that familiarity helps Liverpool or Bournemouth more may decide one of the most fascinating tactical games of Iraola’s early reign.