Andoni Iraola's Early Impact on Liverpool: What We've Seen So Far

Andoni Iraola took over as Liverpool head coach after Arne Slot, who had led the team to a Premier League title the previous season. With only four pre-season games played, it’s still early days, but Iraola’s influence is already noticeable. His style appears more in line with the high-intensity football that fans associate with Jurgen Klopp’s era at Anfield.

In these friendlies, Liverpool secured wins against Sunderland and Wrexham but squandered two-goal leads to lose to Leeds and Monaco. They controlled possession at an average of 60.6%, a notable increase from the 47.7% possession Bournemouth held under Iraola last season. This shift indicates a new challenge: managing teams that defend deep and maintaining possession for longer spells.

Building From the Back and Creating Space

Much of Liverpool’s buildup play has resembled Iraola’s previous tactics. The team often starts possession with short passes involving the goalkeeper, defenders, and one or two central midfielders. Midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Trey Nyoni drop deep to receive the ball, then pass wide to create space. Instead of launching quick counters immediately, Liverpool now seem to lure opponents into pressing before accelerating forward.

If opponents press aggressively right from the start, the Reds switch tactics, opting for long balls from goalkeepers Alisson or Giorgi Mamardashvili. Even if initial possession is lost, Liverpool aim to capitalize on second balls and exploit gaps left by disorganized defenses.

Iraola’s Tactical Inspirations

The attacking approach echoes ideas from Marcelo Bielsa, who coached Iraola at Athletic Club between 2011 and 2013. Iraola openly credits Bielsa for influencing his offensive tactics, especially regarding dynamic movement and positional fluidity. Like Bielsa’s teams, Liverpool under Iraola avoid rigid structures in attack. Players constantly interchange positions, particularly on the flanks.

The use of wide triangles—combinations of full-backs, wingers, and midfielders—creates unpredictable passing options. On the left, for example, full-backs push into advanced positions alongside wingers Rio Ngumoha or Cody Gakpo. Midfielder Florian Wirtz often drifts wide to support these moves, confusing defenders and opening spaces for crosses close to goal.

Risks and Defensive Shape

This attacking style can leave Liverpool vulnerable at the back. Both full-backs join attacks alongside two midfielders and the front three, meaning sometimes only two center-backs and a holding midfielder remain to protect the defense. This leaves room for counter-attacks, a weakness also seen under Slot’s Liverpool last season.

Iraola has mentioned the need for better control without losing the chaotic energy that fuels his offense. But given his past teams often push six or seven players forward, it seems likely he will continue to take risks while hoping to neutralize counters through intense counter-pressing.

After the defeat to Monaco, Iraola reflected, "We can’t sustain the level we want, we have work to do," highlighting issues with depth, physicality, and perfecting the press.

Defensive Pressing and Player Roles

The high press remains a hallmark of Iraola’s Liverpool. The team usually presses in a 4-4-2 diamond formation, inviting opponents to play short before applying heavier pressure, often forcing the ball centrally where they try to win it back quickly. Szoboszlai plays a key role here as a defensive midfielder, balancing pressing duties and covering spaces intelligently.

Maintaining a spare defender at the back is another principle from Iraola’s Bournemouth days. If opponents push three forwards high, Liverpool keep four defenders behind. This reduces players further up the pitch, so the team relies on strong intensity and awareness to cover spaces when teammates step out to press.

Szoboszlai’s ability to judge when to press and cover has helped Liverpool adopt Iraola’s defensive ideas swiftly. He covers a lot of ground, enabling the team’s press to feel balanced and effective.

Outlook for Iraola’s First Season

Though four matches are too few to draw firm conclusions, Iraola’s imprint is unmistakable. His Liverpool side shows many tactics familiar from his Bournemouth tenure, blending high intensity with possession-based build-up and dynamic attacking patterns inspired by Bielsa.

How he manages the balance between this chaotic attack and defensive solidity, especially with limited squad depth, will be key this season. The team aims to dominate possession more than before, and how well they sustain this style might define their fortunes.