Andoni Iraola is looking forward to returning to Bournemouth with Liverpool -- even if the opponents may understand his methods better than his own players.
The Spaniard is six games into his reign as Liverpool manager after leaving the Cherries, whom he guided into Europe for the first time at the end of last season.
His new side are unbeaten so far, although performances have been mixed.
That record will be put to the test as Liverpool travel to the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday, and Iraola admits it will be a strange feeling.
He said: "On the personal side I am really looking forward to meeting them, to hug them. They are players that I love, staff that I worked with and appreciate so much.
"I was buzzing for them when they played their first European game. I wish them all the best but there is another part -- and that is the most important one -- that we need to go there and win and be as ruthless as possible, and leave all the talk for after the game.
"It is going to be a tricky one. They know, obviously, very well what we are trying to do.
"But I also know their strengths and their weaknesses. So you never know who has the most advantage in that sense, but it is going to be different."
One advantage Iraola accepts his side do have, however, is in the preparation.
Liverpool have had two extra days' rest following Tuesday's Carabao Cup win over Tottenham, while Bournemouth were in action on Thursday as they made their Europa League bow against Real Sociedad.
"I think we have an advantage," he said. "Most of the times it has been the opposite. We have been the team that played the last, but this time we played two days before they played.
"I think there should be an advantage there but also I know where we are going, and I know what they have there, not only the stadium but overall.
"When you see the number of games they have lost in a long while, you realise how difficult it is to beat Bournemouth."
Liverpool may still be finding their feet under Iraola, but one player to have settled quickly is defender Ronald Araújo.
The Uruguay international has moved to Anfield on a season-long loan from Barcelona, where he had been captain, and immediately impressed Iraola with his fitness level and versatility.
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Iraola said: "Sometimes you talk to a player you can feel straight away that everything is positive and I think he needed this kind of change. He has come with humility.
"He's an experienced player. I can say, 'We need you right-back, centre-back' -- if we need him in another position I think he is ready to do it.
"Physically also, he has played more minutes than we expected and he is showing he is robust.
"I like his spirit and now I am pushing him to learn the language a bit because a good way for us to use his experience is if he can communicate better with his teammates."
