Liverpool’s Iraola returns to Bournemouth aiming to exploit tight schedule and inside scoop for vital Premier League win

Andoni Iraola has said his knowledge of former club Bournemouth can benefit Liverpool this weekend.

Iraola returns to his former side on Sunday when Liverpool take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. It will be the Spaniard's first return to Bournemouth since leaving for Anfield in the summer, having led the Cherries to a maiden European qualification last season.

Bournemouth recorded their first-ever European win with a 2-1 success at Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Iraola hopes his former side's reduced recovery time, and his inside knowledge of the squad, can help Liverpool to three points this weekend.

"Yes. I think we have an advantage. Most of the time it has been the opposite, we are the team that have played the last, this time we played two days before they played, even though we also played mid-week. There should be an advantage there," he said at his pre-match press conference.

"But also, I know where we are going and I know the stats they have there. Not only at the stadium, but overall. I think you see all the games they've lost in a long while, you realise how difficult it is to beat Bournemouth. But I suppose also I have the advantage that I know them very well. And they have the advantage that they know me very well, so, you never know who is with more advantage in that sense.

"I think in the personal side I'm really looking forward to meeting and hugging them, players that I love, staff that I have worked with that I appreciate so much. I was pushing for them yesterday when they were playing their first European game. I wish them all the best.

"But there is another part that is the most important one right now. That we need to go there and win and beat them and be as ruthless as possible. And leave all the talking for after the game."