Liverpool’s Early Signs Under Andoni Iraola: What We’ve Learned So Far

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

Four pre-season matches offer a limited glimpse, but Andoni Iraola is already starting to influence Liverpool’s playing style. After taking over from Arne Slot, who led the Reds to a Premier League title just last season, many fans see Iraola's approach as more in line with the high-intensity football once championed by Jurgen Klopp.

So far, Liverpool have won against Sunderland and Wrexham but lost to Leeds and Monaco after squandering two-goal leads in both games. Their average possession sits at 60.6%, a notable increase of 12.9% compared to Bournemouth’s league possession under Iraola last season. With opponents often sitting deep, keeping control of the ball for longer periods is a new challenge for Iraola’s team, who try to maintain an intense and chaotic style reminiscent of his previous squads.

Possession and Build-Up Play

Under Iraola, Liverpool’s possession tactics have similarities to his Bournemouth side. The Reds build from the back using the goalkeeper, four defenders, and one or two central midfielders. Dominik Szoboszlai and Trey Nyoni, the favored deeper midfield pair in pre-season, often drop back to receive the ball, then distribute it wide to players in space.

Iraola’s teams are known for fast counter-attacks, but Liverpool seem to focus on holding the ball patiently, drawing pressure before accelerating forward. When opponents commit to pressing, Liverpool look for quick forward passes, creating their own counter-attacking opportunities. If pressed aggressively from the start, keepers like Alisson or Giorgi Mamardashvili sometimes opt for long balls early to exploit second balls and disorganized defenses.

Style Influences and Attacking Patterns

Iraola credits former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa as a big influence, having worked under him at Athletic Club. He admires Bielsa’s dynamic offensive play and willingness to accept disorder in attack. Similarly, Liverpool’s attacking shape is fluid rather than rigid, with players rotating positions frequently.

One key tactic from Bielsa’s playbook that Iraola has adopted is the use of wide triangles or trios to break down defenses. For example, on Liverpool’s left side, full-backs push into advanced areas alongside wingers like Rio Ngumoha or Cody Gakpo. Florian Wirtz, mainly operating as Liverpool’s number 10, drifts wide to support these movements, creating two-v-two or three-v-three situations designed to produce dangerous crosses near goal.

• Wide triangle example: Ngumoha faces four Leeds defenders alone.
• Support movement: Ngumoha passes to left-back Milos Kerkez, while Wirtz joins to form a three-against-three mini-game.
• Decoy runs: Kerkez and Wirtz’s movements pull defenders away, leaving Ngumoha one-on-one in space.

This style is exciting but leaves Liverpool vulnerable at times. Both full-backs join attacks alongside midfielders and forwards, often leaving only two center-backs and one holding midfielder behind. This setup risks exposure to quick counters, a weakness also seen in Slot’s Liverpool last season.

Iraola acknowledges the need for more defensive control without sacrificing attacking chaos. His usual approach involves pushing six or seven players forward during attacks, trusting intense counter-pressing to prevent opponents from launching quick breaks. Still, this demands high physical effort and coordination, something Liverpool are still developing.

Defensive Shape and Pressing Roles

The trademark high press is evident in Liverpool’s pre-season. Szoboszlai plays a pivotal defensive role as the second central midfielder, often shaping the team's pressing structure. Liverpool frequently use a 4-4-2 diamond formation, guiding opponents into short passing options before ramping up the pressure and trying to regain possession.

A holdover from Iraola’s Bournemouth tactics is the principle of maintaining a spare defender at the back. If opponents push three forwards high, Liverpool typically keep four defenders behind, sacrificing a man further up. This requires teammates to cover intelligently when others leave their marks to press. Szoboszlai’s timing and fitness help Liverpool balance this demanding defensive system well.

• Pressing example vs Leeds: Alexander Isak presses the left centre-back while Wirtz covers one midfielder and prepares to press another.
• Intelligent coverage: Szoboszlai shifts his marking to respond to Wirtz’s pressing moves, preventing easy passes.
• Deep positioning: Szoboszlai drops deeper to block passing lanes and limit options for Leeds forwards.

Szoboszlai called Iraola “very good,” praising the return of intensity that Liverpool had been missing. This energy has helped the team quickly adapt to Iraola’s defensive ideas.

What Lies Ahead

Though only four pre-season matches have passed, Iraola’s influence is clear, carrying many familiar tactical patterns from his Bournemouth tenure. Balancing rapid, chaotic attacking play with the need for ball dominance and squad depth will likely define his first season at Liverpool.