By Adam Coward
Andoni Iraola’s first press conference as Liverpool head coach offered the clearest insight into what supporters can expect from the new era at Anfield.
With the disappointment of a lacklustre title defence under Arne Slot last season, a managerial performance that fractured team cohesion and disenfranchised fans, Iraola took Slot’s seat in the media room with the hopes of being the start of something special.
Tactical Overhaul
After a season where the Liverpool team never seemed fully sure about their tactical decisions, how to utilise the wingbacks or how to break down low blocks, it was no surprise that Iraola sought to lay down his footballing philosophy for the upcoming season.
“I would like to give them a team to feel proud of.
Football, especially Liverpool, is about connecting with the people. I’ve experienced the other side, the goal that Chiesa scored last season, you could feel the stadium and I would love to have this. It has to come from us. We have to be a team that we know works hard, aggressive, so everyone can be identified.”
Credit: Liverpool Echo
Much of Iraola’s tactical identity at Bournemouth was constructed from high-pressing football, overlapping fullbacks and playing vertically, a successful style that not only produced on the pitch and thereby in league position, with Bournemouth finishing sixth last season, but in fostering a healthy relationship between the pitch and the fanbase, something lacking in Slot’s Liverpool.
When asked whether these core principles of his football philosophy would carry over to Liverpool, Iraola insisted he would stick to his guns and suggested that he would prefer to play against low blocks as the team would be in control of the game, concede fewer chances, and spend the majority of time on the ball in the opposition half.
A refreshing perspective on the prospect of taking on the low block, to say the least.
A Squad in Need of Adjustments
The Basque manager spoke on squad management and reinforcements, discussing the transition period that will be necessary in the wake of numerous departures of senior players, such as Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. The long-term injuries of Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni were also discussed, players that Iraola admires and sees as long-term solutions, but with short-term resolutions needed throughout their recovery.
“We’ve signed two players already, but we need more players, we know this. The club is working on this”
Credit: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC
With the squad weakened by these departures and injuries, Iraola insisted that the club’s activity in the summer transfer window is not complete, announcing the club’s intentions to bring in additional signings and build on the promising purchases of Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet.
More activity must’ve been expected by Liverpool fans, with squad depth heavily lacking and a gaping hole in a pivotal right-wing position, but for Iraola to vocalise impetus will undoubtedly generate excitement, especially with the club linked with high-profile players like Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola.
International Duty Delaying Start
On top of the challenge of getting to know his players and figuring out the team he wants to play, Iraola was asked about the additional obstacle that the World Cup may cause. Eight Liverpool players were involved in the World Cup, including crucial segments of the squad’s core leadership group with Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson, and Alexis Mac Allister who is yet to be eliminated with Argentina reaching the semi-finals. These players are set to be given three weeks before their return to training, meaning that Liverpool will begin pre-season training with a much different squad than would be expected for the Premier League opener at St James Park.
Iraola acknowledged this challenge and has been in contact with players who have been eliminated from the World Cup but also sees the positives that the progressive introduction of players will bring about. For example, with small amounts of players coming back at different times, Iraola affirms that he will be able to be more in touch with each player, and allow young players and those returning from loan spells to play more minutes during pre-season.
One player, hot on the lips of the press, was Harvey Elliott, who suffered a difficult season last year at Aston Villa, playing just 304 minutes on the pitch. Off the back of an incredible batch of performances for England’s U21 winning side at the U21 European Championships, scoring five goals in six games, Elliott’s lack of involvement is more than disappointing.
“Harvey is here with us, he has come also. I have seen him with this eagerness of showing himself, getting himself ready again. He will have a chance during the pre-season. We will need him and it’s a good sign he came one week earlier.”
Credit: Livin_Liverpool (via X)
These comments represent a far more encouraging public endorsement than Elliott often received last season, and as a player that can fill in gaps in central and right-midfield, the prospect of his reintegration is something to keep an eye on.
A Step Up for Iraola
Credit: This is Anfield
The leap from the Bournemouth job is a big one, and Iraola is under no false impressions about the scrutiny he will be under from both the press and the fans. These facets of managing Liverpool are obvious challenges, as well as the larger number of games that will come with playing in the Champions League, a competition that Iraola is not experienced with.
But to watch Iraola in his first press conference was not to see a man out of his depth, but to see a man who has been successful in every challenge in his managerial career up until now, who understands the challenge that he is taking on. To take the Cherries three points off qualification to the Champions League and to Europa league football is not the fulfilment but the surpassing of an expectation, and if Iraola can bring that mentality to Liverpool, perhaps he can embrace another set of expectations.
Add comment
Comments