Andoni Iraola's Early Impact on Liverpool's Style and Performance
Four pre-season matches provide only a brief glimpse, but Andoni Iraola is beginning to shape Liverpool in his image. After replacing Arne Slot, who led the Reds to a Premier League title last season, Iraola brings a style many see as closer to the intense football Anfield fans loved under Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds have won against Sunderland and Wrexham but lost matches against Leeds and Monaco after letting two-goal leads slip away. Their average possession sits at 60.6%, which marks a notable increase of 12.9% from Bournemouth's average under Iraola last season. With opponents often defending deep, managing high possession is a new challenge for him, yet he strives to maintain the frenetic and chaotic intensity familiar from his previous teams.
Building From the Back and Tactical Approach
Liverpool’s approach under Iraola still resembles his previous tactics. They build play from the back with the goalkeeper, defenders, and a couple of central midfielders involved. Pre-season favorites Dominik Szoboszlai and Trey Nyoni drop deep to receive the ball before distributing it wide. Although Iraola’s sides are known for swift, vertical counters, Liverpool’s current method involves drawing in opposition pressure through short passes before launching forward attacks, creating their own counter-attacking chances.
If pressed early, Liverpool doesn’t hesitate to go long from goalkeepers Alisson or Giorgi Mamardashvili. This direct style helps Liverpool contest second balls and exploit spaces that open up centrally against unsettled defenses.
Influence of Marcelo Bielsa’s Philosophy
Iraola’s attacking style reflects the influence of Marcelo Bielsa, who managed him at Athletic Club. Iraola credits Bielsa for many of his ball exercises and admires the dynamic offensive movement Bielsa encourages, where players accept disorder in attack and keep shifting positions.
One key pattern involves wide combinations among full-backs, wingers, and midfielders. These players interchange positions fluidly, creating unpredictable attacking triangles. For example, Liverpool’s left flank sees full-backs pushing high alongside Rio Ngumoha or Cody Gakpo, with Florian Wirtz drifting wide or central as a versatile third option.
- Rio Ngumoha: Faces multiple defenders, then passes to left-back Milos Kerkez
- Florian Wirtz: Provides support, creating a three-against-three situation on the flank
- Milos Kerkez: Runs in behind defenders, dragging them away and creating space
This fluidity aims to simplify attack into manageable duels or trios, generating dangerous crosses close to goal.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and Balance
While exciting, this attack-heavy style leaves Liverpool top-heavy. Both full-backs often join the attack with two midfielders and the front three, leaving just two center-backs and one holding midfielder to defend. This vulnerability to counter-attacks was also an issue under Slot.
Iraola acknowledges the need for more control without losing attacking chaos, so adjustments might come to leave extra players behind the ball. Yet based on his past methods, he tends to push six or seven players forward while relying on intense counter-pressing to stop counters early.
Early signs show struggles with maintaining intensity, depth, and press effectiveness, as Iraola noted after the Monaco defeat, highlighting the work still ahead to sustain his desired level.
Defensive Setup and Pressing Roles
Iraola's trademark high press is evident, especially in the roles assigned to players. Szoboszlai, used mainly as a central midfielder this pre-season, plays a critical role in defense. Liverpool often press in a 4-4-2 diamond, encouraging short passes from opponents before intensifying pressure centrally.
A principle carried over from Bournemouth is keeping an extra defender back against opposing attackers. If opponents field three forwards high, Liverpool usually retain four defenders behind, requiring smart covering and quick reactions when pressing players leave their marks.
Szoboszlai's ability to judge when to step forward and cover large areas helps Liverpool maintain balance and apply pressure effectively.
- Alexander Isak: Presses left center-back
- Florian Wirtz: Covers one midfielder, ready to press another
- Dominik Szoboszlai: Marks a central midfielder and shifts position to cut passing options
Outlook on Iraola’s First Season
Though four games is a limited sample, Iraola’s influence is clear, echoing many ideas from his Bournemouth tenure. How he manages the tension between frenetic attacking play and a squad lacking depth, while trying to dominate possession more consistently, will likely define his debut season.
