Andoni Iraola's Early Impact on Liverpool: What We Have Learned

Assessing Liverpool's Early Days Under Andoni Iraola

Four pre-season matches offer only a limited glimpse, yet Andoni Iraola is beginning to impress his style on Liverpool. How are the Reds adapting under their new manager?

Winning remains important, but many fans value the way the team plays almost as much as the results. When victories are scarce, an entertaining approach often earns a coach extra patience.

Andoni Iraola took over from Arne Slot, who had guided Liverpool to a Premier League title just a season ago. Many believe Iraola’s tactics better reflect the aggressive, intense football associated with Jurgen Klopp's era at Anfield.

Pre-Season Results and Style

Liverpool won against Sunderland and Wrexham during pre-season but squandered two-goal leads in defeats to Leeds and Monaco. They held possession for 60.6% of the time, a significant 12.9% increase compared to Bournemouth’s average under Iraola last season.

Facing opponents who tend to defend deep, Iraola’s challenge is to keep possession while maintaining the high-intensity chaos that marked his previous teams.

Building From The Back

The team's possession tactics show continuity with Iraola’s past. Liverpool often build up from the back using their goalkeeper, defenders, and one or two central midfielders. Dominik Szoboszlai and Trey Nyoni, used as deeper midfielders in pre-season, drop back to receive the ball and shift it wide.

Though Iraola’s teams typically rely on rapid counter-attacks, Liverpool have aimed to hold the ball more patiently. These short passes invite pressing before switching to quick forward moves, creating chances by forcing opponents out of position.

If pressed early, Liverpool sometimes bypass the buildup with long balls from goalkeepers Alisson or Giorgi Mamardashvili, hoping to win second balls and exploit gaps in disorganized defenses.

Bielsa’s Influence on Iraola

Iraola credits former Athletic Club manager Marcelo Bielsa as a major influence, especially offensively. He said he uses many exercises learned from Bielsa, whose teams embrace disorder and constant movement.

Like Bielsa’s sides, Liverpool now attack with fluidity rather than fixed positioning. Wide players and full-backs interchange roles, creating triangles on the flanks that make marking difficult.

For instance, on the left side, full-backs push into the final third alongside Rio Ngumoha or Cody Gakpo, while Florian Wirtz, operating as Liverpool’s number 10, drifts wide or centrally to provide multiple passing options.

• Rio Ngumoha: Often isolated against several defenders.
• Ngumoha recycles the ball: Passes to left-back Milos Kerkez, with Wirtz supporting to form a triangle.
• Kerkez runs behind defense: Drawing defenders away, creating space for Ngumoha in one-on-one situations.

Risks of a Top-Heavy Attack

This dynamic style leaves Liverpool exposed. Both full-backs join attacks alongside midfielders and forwards, sometimes leaving only two center-backs and a holding midfielder to defend. This vulnerability to counter-attacks was also evident under Slot last season.

Iraola has acknowledged the need for greater control while preserving his team’s attacking intensity. Yet, based on his prior methods, he likely prefers pushing six or seven players forward, relying on quick counter-presses to prevent opponents from breaking quickly.

After the loss to Monaco, Iraola admitted his squad can’t yet maintain the desired intensity, citing issues like limited depth, fading physicality, and an imperfect press.

Defensive Shape and Pressing

Iraola’s trademark high press is clear in pre-season. Szoboszlai plays a vital defensive role, positioned as the second central midfielder. Liverpool often press in a 4-4-2 diamond shape, inviting short passes before launching aggressive pressure aimed at winning the ball back centrally.

One strategy carried over from Iraola’s Bournemouth days is keeping an extra defender behind the ball. If opponents push three forwards high, Liverpool keep four defenders back, meaning fewer players press higher up and requiring smart coverage and intensity to close spaces.

Szoboszlai’s physicality and awareness allow him to time presses well, supporting Liverpool’s quick defensive transitions.

• Alexander Isak: Presses left centre-back.
• Florian Wirtz: Covers one central midfielder and steps up to pressure another.
• Dominik Szoboszlai: Marks a central midfielder, adjusting as teammates move.

Looking Ahead

While four pre-season matches provide limited insight, Iraola’s influence on Liverpool is evident. His style echoes much of what worked at Bournemouth, mixing chaos with speed. How he adapts this approach to a squad expected to dominate possession and cope with limited depth will shape his first campaign at Anfield.