Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has offered a timely reminder to supporters about why patience could be crucial as Andoni Iraola continues his work at Anfield.
The former Reds captain believes this Liverpool team is still a work in progress, with the new head coach needing time to get the balance right and allow his players to grow together.
And honestly, I couldn’t agree more.
Speaking to That’s Football TV, Gerrard made it clear that he likes Iraola and believes Liverpool can become a much better team as the new signings settle, confidence grows and the squad has more time to work together.
His comments reflect exactly how I feel about this season. I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen so far, but I also understand that there is still a lot of work to do.
Gerrard Likes What He Sees From Iraola
Gerrard said:
“This Liverpool team are a work in progress. They’ve to get the balance right. You’ve to give Andoni Iraola time. I like him. I like the way he comes across. I like the way he has solved a few issues the team had.”
Those are encouraging words from someone who knows better than most what it takes to succeed at Liverpool.
Gerrard understands the expectations that come with the job. He spent years wearing the shirt, captaining the team and dealing with the pressure that comes with representing this football club.
He knows Liverpool supporters want to see success, but he also understands that building a successful team takes more than bringing in new players and expecting everything to click immediately.
What I find interesting is his praise for the way Iraola has already addressed some of the team’s problems.
There have been difficult moments this season, and Liverpool are certainly not the finished article. However, we have also seen signs of improvement, particularly in the way the team has started to become more organised defensively.
The recent 2-0 victory over Brighton was a good example. Liverpool took their chances in the first half and then had to dig in to protect their lead after the break.
It wasn’t perfect, but the clean sheet was important, and there were signs that Iraola is finding ways to make this team more difficult to play against.
Liverpool Need Time to Get the Balance Right
One of the biggest challenges facing Iraola is finding the right balance between Liverpool’s attacking ambition and defensive responsibility.
Supporters want exciting football, goals and victories, but none of that matters if the team continues to give opponents too many opportunities at the other end.
Iraola is trying to develop his own approach while working with a squad that has had to cope with injuries, a demanding fixture schedule and several new players adapting to life at Anfield.
That is a significant job.
There have been times when Liverpool have looked dangerous going forward but vulnerable defensively. At other points, the team has looked more solid but still needs to improve its fluency in possession and create more consistent attacking performances.
Finding that balance will take work on the training ground, experience on the pitch and time for the players to understand one another.
I don’t expect Iraola to get every decision right, and there will inevitably be frustrating results along the way.
But I would rather see Liverpool gradually develop into a more complete team than demand instant perfection and start questioning the entire project every time something goes wrong.
The Big Signings Need Time to Settle
Gerrard also believes Liverpool will improve as the club’s major signings gain confidence and become more comfortable playing together.
That is another point worth remembering.
New players arrive with different experiences, different footballing backgrounds and different expectations. Even talented individuals need time to understand their teammates’ movements, learn the manager’s demands and build the relationships that make a team successful.
Liverpool cannot simply rely on individual quality to solve every problem.
The best teams are built around players who understand one another instinctively. They know when to press, when to hold their position, when to make a run and when to trust a teammate to cover the space behind them.
That understanding develops through training and matches.
I believe there is plenty of quality in this Liverpool squad, but the challenge is turning that quality into a consistent collective performance.
If Iraola gets that right, Liverpool could become a much more dangerous team as the season progresses.
Injuries Have Made Iraola’s Job Even Harder
We also need to consider the circumstances in which Iraola is trying to build this team.
Liverpool have had to deal with significant injury problems, leaving the manager with fewer options than he would ideally want during a packed run of matches.
That has meant difficult selection decisions, regular changes and greater responsibility for some of the younger players.
Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas are among the youngsters who can benefit from opportunities, but we cannot expect them to carry the team every week.
They are still developing, and they need experienced players around them.
With important first-team players unavailable, Iraola has had to find solutions rather than simply wait for everyone to return. That deserves some recognition.
The fixture schedule makes things even more complicated, with Liverpool competing across several competitions and little time to recover between games.
I don’t believe injuries should become an excuse for every disappointing result, but they are an important part of the bigger picture.
Gerrard’s call for patience makes sense when you consider the number of challenges Iraola has had to manage during his early months at the club.
Why I’m Treating This as a Transition Season
My expectations for this campaign are realistic.
Of course, I want Liverpool to win trophies. I want us competing at the top end of the Premier League and securing Champions League football.
But I still see this as a major transition season, and I don’t think it is sensible to judge Iraola solely on whether he can deliver the biggest prizes immediately.
For me, the priorities are clear: build a stronger defensive structure, develop a recognisable style of play, get the best out of the new signings and make Liverpool more consistent.
If we can achieve those things while remaining competitive in the cups and pushing for Champions League qualification, there will be plenty of reasons to be positive.
The Brighton victory was a step in the right direction, but it is only one result. The real test is whether Liverpool can build on performances like that and show greater consistency against different opponents.
I want to see progress rather than perfection.
And I believe supporters can demand high standards while still giving the manager the time and backing he needs.
Gerrard Believes Liverpool Can Get Much Better
Gerrard also added:
“They’ll get much better – With more transfer windows, confidence in these big signings, being together and growing together. I think it’s an exciting time for #LFC.”
That final point is what gives me the most encouragement.
Liverpool have already shown glimpses of what they can become, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. More time together, greater confidence and the opportunity to strengthen the squad in future transfer windows could make a real difference.
I also like the fact that Gerrard describes this as an exciting time.
That doesn’t mean everything will suddenly fall into place. There will be setbacks, selection debates and games when Liverpool leave supporters frustrated.
But there is a difference between recognising the problems and writing off the manager before he has had a fair opportunity to solve them.
Iraola has inherited a huge responsibility at one of the biggest clubs in world football. He is dealing with enormous expectations, injuries and a squad that still needs to find its best balance.
I think he has made an encouraging start, and I want to see where he can take this team with more time.
My Verdict: I’m With Gerrard – Give Iraola Time
For me, Gerrard has got this right.
Liverpool are a work in progress, and pretending otherwise would be unrealistic. There are still areas that need improvement, and Iraola has plenty of difficult decisions ahead of him.
But I like what I have seen from the manager so far. He appears calm under pressure, he has started to address some of the team’s weaknesses, and there are signs that Liverpool are becoming more resilient.
The Brighton win was encouraging, but the important thing now is to build on it.
I don’t expect Liverpool to transform overnight, and I’m not going to judge this season as a failure simply because we might not challenge for every major honour.
I want to see a team that grows together, becomes more balanced and gives us genuine reasons to believe in what is being built at Anfield.
Gerrard’s message is a sensible one: give Iraola time, allow the players to develop their understanding and judge the progress over a longer period.
I’m encouraged by Iraola’s start, I believe Liverpool can get much better, and I’m prepared to be patient while this team takes shape.
The expectations at Liverpool will never disappear. Nor should they.
But sometimes the best thing supporters can do is recognise that building the next successful Liverpool team is a process, not an overnight achievement.
And right now, I believe there are reasons to be optimistic.
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
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