Andoni Iraola has taken charge at Anfield just one season after Arne Slot guided Liverpool to the Premier League title — and early signs suggest the new head coach is already stamping his identity on the club.

Liverpool have won two pre-season friendlies, defeating Sunderland and Wrexham, but have also squandered two-goal leads in losses to both Leeds United and Monaco. Over these four matches, the Reds have averaged 60.6 percent possession — a rise of 12.9 percent on Bournemouth's league average under Iraola last season.

Building from the back

With opposition sides more inclined to sit deep against Liverpool, managing the ball for longer stretches presents a new challenge for Iraola. His response has been to retain the intense, chaotic approach that defined his Bournemouth sides while adapting the build-up phase to suit a higher-profile club.

Liverpool have looked to construct play short through their goalkeeper, four defenders, and one or two central midfielders. Dominik Szoboszlai and Trey Nyoni — Iraola's preferred deeper midfield pairing in pre-season — drop to receive the ball before spreading it to wide players in space. The aim of these short combinations is to invite the opponent's press, then accelerate play through forward passes at the moment pressure is committed.

When a team press immediately, Liverpool have been prepared to bypass the build-up altogether, with goalkeepers Alisson or Giorgi Mamardashvili launching the ball long. Even if the first duel is lost, the Reds are positioned to contest second balls and exploit the gaps that open behind a disorganised defence.

The Bielsa influence

Many of Iraola's attacking principles echo those of former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa, who coached Iraola at Athletic Club between 2011 and 2013. Speaking to Sky Sports in 2023, Iraola acknowledged the lasting influence of the Argentine.