Liverpool star reveals one major difference Andoni Iraola has already made at Liverpool | OneFootball

Dominik Szoboszlai says Andoni Iraola has restored Liverpool intensity

Liverpool have won two pre-season games, 1-0 against Wrexham and 4-2 against Sunderland, but the more important development may be cultural rather than cosmetic. Dominik Szoboszlai has said plainly what many around Anfield wanted to hear, that intensity is back under Andoni Iraola.

The Hungarian midfielder did not dress it up. Speaking during Liverpool’s tour of the United States, he said: “He is very good. The intensity we need is here now, what we have been missing is back. From the coach side and the players, now we have to put this together.”

That is a significant line. It tells you what Iraola has prioritised from day one, and it also tells you what the squad felt had slipped. Liverpool have had enough neat possession, enough sterile control and enough softness over the past year. The issue was never effort in the abstract. It was tempo, aggression, second balls, pressure and the ability to make opponents uncomfortable.

Andoni Iraola sets clear Liverpool standard

Iraola has been appointed to fix a side that drifted badly in 2025/26. The title-winning success of 2024/25 under Arne Slot stands on its own, but football does not hand out credit for sentiment. Last season was poor, the drop-off was obvious and Liverpool needed a reset. Iraola’s first task was always going to be restoring the physical and mental edge that defined this club at its best.

So far, the messaging is direct and the signs are positive. Pre-season scorelines matter less than habits, and the habits being discussed are the right ones. Szoboszlai’s comments matter because he is one of the players most affected by rhythm and intensity. If Liverpool press well, break quickly and play vertically, he becomes a far more influential figure.

Pre-season wins help, transfer questions remain

There is still plenty to sort out before the window closes. Liverpool may yet add quality, and Bradley Barcola continues to be discussed, but the concerns are obvious. The right side still invites questions, defensive depth looks thin and the squad still lacks certainty around a natural holding six.

That means Iraola may not get every profile he wants before September. Fine. Managers rarely do. What he can demand immediately is structure, intensity and collective conviction. Those are non-negotiable.

Newcastle opener must show aggressive purpose

The first proper test comes at St James’ Park against manager-less Newcastle. Nobody should expect a finished side in early August, but they should expect a recognisable one. Liverpool need to look sharp, hostile and purposeful. They need to press with commitment, counter at speed and play with vertical intent.

Supporters can live with imperfections. What they will not accept is passivity. If Iraola sends out a team that competes hard, attacks space and restores that old sense of edge, then Liverpool will at least look like Liverpool again. Right now, that is the baseline, and after Szoboszlai’s verdict, it is clear that standard has been reintroduced.