Bournemouth's Adam Smith expects emotional reunion as Andoni Iraola returns
Full-back says the Cherries will still be "up for the game" against Iraola's side
Full-back Adam Smith anticipates an “emotional” occasion when Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola returns to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Iraola departed Vitality Stadium in May after an impressive three-year spell, which finished with the club qualifying for European football for the first time.
Smith enjoyed a strong relationship with Iraola, but acknowledged the full focus on everyone at the Cherries will be to back up Thursday’s maiden Europa League win away to Real Sociedad with a first three points in the Premier League this season.
“Yeah, it’s going to be an emotional day for everyone I think,” Smith said.
“Our ex-manager and some of our players that have played under him, but we’ll be up for the game for sure.
“We knew at the start of the season it was going to be a challenge for us (Thursday to Sunday schedule).
“We’ve seen it with a lot of English teams, they struggle, and we need to focus on recovery and focus on a big one on Sunday.”
Iraola’s successor Marco Rose could make changes for the visit of the Reds after he selected an unchanged line-up for matches with Brentford and Sociedad. Forward Junior Kroupi (foot) is still sidelined.