Como manager Cesc Fabregas has shared his verdict on Andoni Iraola after observing one of the Liverpool manager's training sessions while he was in charge at Rayo Vallecano

Cesc Fabregas has revealed what stood out to him after watching Andoni Iraola conduct a training session during a visit to Rayo Vallecano.

In a resurfaced clip from the BBC's Planet Premier League podcast during Iraola's debut season at Bournemouth, Fabregas was full of praise for the Spaniard's footballing philosophy. He recalled visiting Radamel Falcao in Madrid, where the former striker invited him to watch one of Iraola's training sessions.

Fabregas admitted he was immediately impressed by the Liverpool manager's coaching methods, communication and tactical structure. The Como manager particularly praised the way Iraola gradually increased the intensity of his sessions while ensuring players understood the concepts he wanted them to implement on the pitch.

"I remember I went to see [Radamel] Falcao one day in Madrid and he told me to come and watch a training session [with Iraola's Rayo Vallecano side]. I went there and I really liked it. I really liked the session, I saw exactly what he's trying to do," said the former Arsenal midfielder back in 2024.

"He communicates really well with the players. He has a really good structure. I liked the setup of the training session, the format in which he builds it from a lower intensity to a higher one, and the concept that he was giving to the players.

"It was the first time that I started hearing good things about Iraola, and I'm not surprised where he is because you can see the style is very clear."

Fabregas also suggested that Iraola's success was no surprise given how clearly defined his playing style was, drawing comparisons with Mikel Arteta's early years at Arsenal.

He added: "It's the patience that we always talk about that they gave to Mikel [Arteta, at Arsenal]. For me if you really believe in it and you give the right players to the manager, most of the time it will pay off."

Liverpool headed into the international break fourth in the Premier League table, having collected 21 points from their opening 10 games.

Iraola's side has recorded five wins, three draws and two defeats, with last week's victory over Crystal Palace providing another positive result.

There have been encouraging signs since Iraola took charge, particularly following last season's disappointment. Liverpool remain firmly in the top-four picture, with their only league defeats coming against Manchester City and Arsenal.

However, there is still plenty of work to be done, and it would be premature to suggest that all of Liverpool's problems have been resolved. The squad remains unbalanced in certain areas, leaving issues that cannot necessarily be attributed to Iraola.

One of the more promising developments has been how quickly several players have adapted to the change in management. Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola are still working to deliver consistently at Anfield, but both have shown signs of gradually settling into Iraola's system.