How Liverpool are shaping up under Iraola
Four pre-season games is a very small sample, but Andoni Iraola is starting to put his stamp on Liverpool. So how are the Reds shaping up under their new boss?
Andoni Iraola, Liverpool's new head coach, is steering the club in a style reminiscent of the intense and chaotic football he was known for at Athletic Club. Under Klopp, Liverpool's style was heavy on possession but has shifted towards holding the ball deliberately. This approach allows Iraola's teams to build up short against deep defenses, creating opportunities for fast counter-attacks.
The coach has enlisted the help of Dominik Szoboszlai and Trey Nyoni to drop deep and show for the ball, passing it to wide players to bounce towards dangerous areas. Iraola emphasizes dynamic attacking principles, akin to his former mentor Marcelo Bielsa, who coached him at Athletic Club. Bielsa's influence is evident in Liverpool's use of wide players who shift positions frequently, creating confusion for opponents.
The coach aims to simplify his attacking game into two-v-two or three-v-three situations, resulting in dangerous crosses close to the goal. Despite this exciting style, Iraola acknowledges the need for more control and depth as the season progresses.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport Football's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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