Andoni Iraola's Early Impact on Liverpool: Insights from Pre-Season

Andoni Iraola's Influence on Liverpool's Pre-Season

After just four pre-season matches, it's clear that Andoni Iraola is starting to shape Liverpool’s style. While the sample is small, his approach is noticeable as the club transitions under their new manager.

The Reds have won against Sunderland and Wrexham but lost to Leeds and Monaco after letting two-goal leads slip. Their average possession sits at 60.6%, a significant increase compared to Bournemouth’s 47.7% under Iraola last season. This marks a fresh challenge for him, as teams tend to defend deeply against Liverpool.

Possession and Build-Up Play

Iraola retains many tactics from his previous teams, focusing on short build-up play involving the goalkeeper, defenders, and one or two central midfielders. Players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Trey Nyoni often drop deep to receive the ball, pushing it out wide to create space.

While Iraola’s sides are known for rapid counter-attacks, Liverpool appear to be holding possession more deliberately now. The short passes lure opponents into pressing, setting up opportunities for quick forward balls. When pressed intensely, Liverpool sometimes bypass the short build-up, sending long balls from keepers Alisson or Giorgi Mamardashvili to attack spaces behind opposing defenses.

Attacking Style Inspired by Marcelo Bielsa

Iraola draws inspiration from Marcelo Bielsa, his former coach at Athletic Club. He has adopted similar attacking principles, encouraging fluid movement and positional rotations rather than fixed roles. This dynamic style is visible in Liverpool’s wide pairings, especially on the left side where full-backs push into advanced positions alongside wingers like Rio Ngumoha or Cody Gakpo.

Florian Wirtz, playing mainly as Liverpool’s number 10, frequently drifts wide to support these triangles, offering multiple passing options and creating confusion for defenders. These overlapping movements aim to generate two-versus-two or three-versus-three situations near the goal for dangerous crosses.

Defensive Concerns and Vulnerabilities

While this attacking intensity looks promising, it leaves Liverpool vulnerable defensively. Both full-backs often join attacks with midfielders and forwards, meaning only two centre-backs and one holding midfielder stay back. This exposes the team to counter-attacks, an issue also present under former coach Arne Slot.

Iraola acknowledges the need for better control without sacrificing attacking chaos. Yet, based on his past teams, he tends to encourage six or seven players forward, trusting intense counter-pressing to prevent counters. This strategy relies heavily on regaining possession quickly, particularly by attacking down the flanks with extra pressure from nearby teammates.

After the loss to Monaco, Iraola noted, "We can't sustain the level we want; we have work to do," referring to second-half lapses caused by fatigue and an imperfect press.

Defensive Structure and Pressing Roles

Liverpool’s pressing system often forms a 4-4-2 diamond shape, designed to funnel opponents centrally before aggressively pressing. Szoboszlai plays a key role as the second central midfielder, balancing pressing duties and defensive cover.

Iraola’s teams usually keep a spare defender at the back when facing attacks, meaning four defenders stay deep if opponents push three forwards high. This demands high intensity and smart covering from midfielders and defenders. Szoboszlai’s timing and physicality help Liverpool maintain pressure while avoiding dangerous gaps.

• Pre-season results: Wins against Sunderland and Wrexham; losses to Leeds and Monaco
• Possession: 60.6% average under Iraola vs. 47.7% at Bournemouth last season
• Build-up style: Short passes from keeper and defenders; forward passes triggered by opponent pressing
• Key players in midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai and Trey Nyoni
• Press formation: 4-4-2 diamond
• Defensive coverage: Four defenders stay back against three forward attackers

Summary

Though it’s early days, Andoni Iraola has made his mark on Liverpool, blending his known tactics with the demands of a team expected to dominate possession. His challenge will be balancing high-intensity attacks and pressing with defensive solidity, especially given squad depth limitations. Fans might see a style reminiscent of Bielsa's influence, full of fluidity and positional interchange, but the team must iron out issues around stamina and consistency to thrive.