When Andoni Iraola was appointed Liverpool manager, supporters knew exactly what they were getting.
A coach associated with front-footed, aggressive and attacking football, a high-intensity style and a willingness to take games to the opposition.
That was supposed to be the exciting part of the appointment.
But five Premier League games into his reign, something else is becoming increasingly obvious.
Iraola’s first priority has been making Liverpool difficult to beat.
And after Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth, it is becoming increasingly difficult to argue that he isn’t succeeding.
Liverpool may not yet be playing the swashbuckling football many expected from Iraola, but they are developing something that could prove just as important: defensive resilience.
Liverpool are learning how to grind out results
There was nothing particularly spectacular about the victory at the Vitality Stadium.
Liverpool scored once, had to withstand periods of Bournemouth pressure and ultimately had to defend their lead.
But that is precisely why I found the result encouraging.
This was the sort of game Liverpool may have dropped points in previously.
Instead, Iraola’s side stayed organised, protected their goal and saw the game out.
Alisson once again produced an important save, while Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo continue to look increasingly comfortable in the defensive structure.
Bournemouth had opportunities, but Liverpool’s backline dealt with the pressure and restricted the hosts to limited clear chances after the interval.
Most importantly, it was Liverpool’s third consecutive clean sheet.
Iraola himself highlighted the solidity his defence is giving the team, while acknowledging that there are still areas that need improving.
That feels significant.
The attacking football can come later
Of course, nobody expects Liverpool supporters to be satisfied indefinitely with 1-0 wins and performances lacking attacking cohesion.
The quality is there.
Isak, Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai should be capable of producing considerably more than Liverpool have shown in some of these early games.
Against Bournemouth, Liverpool managed only six shots on target and once again struggled to make their attacking talent consistently click.
But perhaps we need to look at the bigger picture.
Iraola is building the foundations first.
It is much easier to turn a defensively reliable side into an attacking one than it is to build an entertaining attacking team that has no defensive security.
Liverpool are learning how to stay in games.
They’re learning how to win when they aren’t at their best.
And they’re learning how to protect a lead.
Those are valuable lessons for a team still adapting to a new manager and a different tactical approach.
The Wirtz situation is becoming interesting
Then there is Florian Wirtz.
This is becoming the biggest individual question surrounding Iraola’s Liverpool team.
The German was given another start against Bournemouth but struggled to impose himself for large periods.
Yet there was an interesting twist.
Wirtz was involved in the winning goal, with his touch under pressure helping the ball fall to Isak after Gakpo’s excellent work down the right.
And Iraola defended him afterwards, saying Wirtz helped Liverpool improve in the second half.
So I don’t think we’re anywhere near the point of writing him off.
But something may have to change.
Perhaps it is his position.
Perhaps it is the system around him.
Perhaps it is simply a case of giving him time to adjust to the Premier League and his new teammates.
But if Wirtz continues to struggle to influence matches, Iraola may eventually have to make a big call.
And that could mean changing how Liverpool use him rather than simply leaving him in the same role every week.
And then there is Trey Nyoni
Interestingly, another decision may already be presenting itself.
Trey Nyoni came on for Wirtz in the 71st minute at Bournemouth and once again looked comfortable in the midfield.
He helped Liverpool retain their defensive structure and offered energy and composure as the Reds looked to see the game out.
That follows his impressive involvement in the Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham.
Nyoni isn’t going to solve every problem overnight, and there is no need to put enormous pressure on a young player.
But Iraola has shown that he is willing to trust youth.
So could a bigger role be coming?
Could we eventually see Nyoni given a Premier League start while another midfielder drops out?
It is certainly a question worth asking.
Iraola is building Liverpool from the back
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the opening weeks of the Iraola era is that the manager hired for attacking football is currently making Liverpool’s defence his biggest success story.
And I’m absolutely fine with that.
The attacking football will hopefully come.
The combinations between Isak, Gakpo, Barcola and Wirtz will hopefully improve.
Wirtz will hopefully find his confidence and begin producing the performances Liverpool know he is capable of.
But first, Iraola appears determined to make Liverpool a team opponents hate playing against.
A team that doesn’t collapse when things aren’t going well.
A team that can win ugly.
And if Liverpool can add the attacking football to the defensive resilience we’re beginning to see, then Iraola could really start to mould this team into his own.
For now, the foundations are being laid.
And perhaps that is the most important part of the job.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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