There was one major problem that followed Liverpool through much of last season.
It wasn’t a lack of attacking talent.
It wasn’t a lack of money spent.
It was the space Liverpool left between the lines and the vulnerability of the team without the ball.
Jamie Carragher even recently described Liverpool’s midfield as a “huge problem”, particularly because of the space appearing in front of the defence.
And now, after just a handful of pre-season games, there are some early signs that Andoni Iraola could already be addressing it.
We have to be careful. It’s pre-season, and the real test begins against Newcastle.
But there are reasons to be encouraged.
Iraola is demanding something different
One of the clearest changes under Iraola has been Liverpool’s approach without the ball.
The new manager wants his players to press aggressively, remain compact and react immediately when possession is lost.
Iraola himself admitted after the Como victory that he is asking the players to do things differently, particularly defensively. He was pleased with their attitude and willingness to get on the same page, while acknowledging that there is still plenty to improve.
That’s important.
Liverpool don’t simply need to defend deeper.
They need to defend better as a team.
And that starts much higher up the pitch.
The midfield has to protect the defence
One of the biggest problems last season was the amount of space that could appear around Liverpool’s midfield.
When the full-backs pushed forward and possession was lost, opponents could attack the space Liverpool left behind.
Iraola’s system is also aggressive, so there is always going to be an element of risk.
But the difference is that his players are being asked to press and recover their positions immediately.
The midfield therefore becomes absolutely crucial.
Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and the other midfield options have to make sure Liverpool aren’t simply leaving Van Dijk and the rest of the defence exposed.
That could ultimately determine whether Iraola’s attacking football works at Anfield.
The defence already looks more secure
The Como game provided another encouraging sign.
Liverpool finished the final pre-season friendly with a 2-0 victory and a clean sheet, with Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araújo both making their debuts.
Jacquet impressed during his first 45 minutes and capped his debut with a goal.
Araújo then came on at half-time and produced an assured second-half performance alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Iraola was particularly pleased with both defenders, while also highlighting Jeremie Frimpong’s defensive contribution over the full 90 minutes.
That’s encouraging because Liverpool desperately needed more defensive depth.
Jacquet and Araújo could be huge
It would be ridiculous to declare the defensive problem solved after one clean sheet.
But the early signs are very encouraging.
Jacquet looks comfortable defending aggressively and stepping into challenges.
Araújo brings physicality, experience and the ability to defend one-on-one.
And suddenly Liverpool have more options.
Instead of relying on the same defensive unit every week, Iraola has genuine competition.
That can only be a good thing.
But there is still one obvious warning sign
The second half against Como wasn’t perfect.
Liverpool were forced to defend for longer periods as Como pushed forward, and the tempo dropped.
Iraola has actually acknowledged that Liverpool’s second halves have generally been weaker than their first halves during pre-season. He believes improving fitness levels and maintaining concentration when players are tired are still important areas of development.
That is something Liverpool simply cannot afford in the Premier League.
You can press Newcastle brilliantly for 45 minutes.
But if the intensity disappears after half-time, Premier League teams will punish you.
And that’s why Iraola could be the right man
Perhaps the most encouraging thing isn’t the results.
It’s the identity.
Liverpool are beginning to look like a team that knows what its manager wants.
Quick passing.
Aggressive pressing.
More intensity without the ball.
Players attacking space.
Defenders being asked to defend proactively rather than simply retreat.
That is exactly what you would expect from an Iraola team.
And the players appear to be buying into it.
Could Liverpool finally become harder to play against?
That’s the big question.
Last season, Liverpool could be devastating going forward but sometimes looked far too easy to play through.
Iraola doesn’t appear to be trying to solve that by sacrificing Liverpool’s attacking identity.
Instead, he’s trying to make the entire team defend aggressively.
If Liverpool can get that balance right, they could become a very different proposition.
Imagine having:
Wirtz and Isak creating problems going forward.
Barcola potentially adding even more pace.
Ngumoha developing into a major threat.
But behind them, a midfield that actually protects the defence and a back four that is comfortable defending on the front foot.
That’s the Liverpool supporters want to see.
The Como win doesn’t prove Liverpool’s biggest problem has been solved.
But it does suggest Iraola has identified the problem — and he’s already trying to fix it.
Now comes the real test.
Newcastle away.
That’s when we’ll find out just how far Liverpool have actually come.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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