Why Andoni Iraola has stopped talking to Xabi Alonso as Liverpool boss starts to earn respect

Iraola and Alonso, childhood friends and former teammates, face off in the Carabao Cup tonight; Iraola says mutual respect means they stop talking during opposition matches.

Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso were born seven months apart and grew up together at amateur club Antiguoko in San Sebastian, alongside Mikel Arteta. They played as teammates for Spain and the Basque country before their careers took them in different directions.

Now both are Premier League managers set to meet in the Carabao Cup fourth round at Anfield tonight. Iraola explained that while they remain close friends, professional rivalry means they cease communication when facing each other. "Once we are playing against each other, the relationship is not good because you kind of stop talking to the other, kind of a respect thing," he said. "But after the game, we can talk, definitely."

Iraola has begun earning Liverpool's respect after a strong start, including a warm reception from the Kop following Sunday's win over Brighton. He acknowledged the progress but stressed more is needed: "Start, yes. Still we need more wins, we need more performances so we need more time." Liverpool will field a strong team despite rotating resources, with Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha pressing for starts.