A flashpoint during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Como last month may prove to have been far more telling than it seemed at the time. As Dominik Szoboszlai pressed high and Como threaded a pass into the space behind him, the Hungarian midfielder turned in frustration — Virgil van Dijk had not stepped up to close the gap. It was a brief disagreement, but it raised a question that will define Liverpool's early weeks under Andoni Iraola: can a 35-year-old van Dijk thrive in a high-pressing system?

A role built on aggression

Iraola built his reputation across three seasons at Bournemouth by constructing one of the Premier League's most energetic sides. His hallmark is relentless pressure on the ball, but that style carries a structural cost — space behind the defensive line. Last season, Bournemouth conceded the highest direct speed against of any team in the Premier League, meaning opponents moved the ball up the pitch quicker against them than anyone else. Liverpool now inherit that trade-off.

The consequences were visible within five minutes of their opening Premier League fixture against Newcastle United. Van Dijk's hesitation to push higher was, as Jamie Carragher highlighted on Sky Sports, a contributing factor in Newcastle United's opening goal. William Osula fed Anthony Elanga, who ran 61 metres without anyone tracking back to close him down. Left back Milos Kerkez could not catch Elanga either — but it is Van Dijk's positioning that raised the sharper questions.

Carragher draws a telling comparison

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher was candid about the challenge facing Liverpool's captain.