Analysis: How Andoni Iraola can improve Liverpool | OneFootball

Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool Blueprint: Pressing, Direct Attacks And A Clearer Identity

Liverpool’s interest in Andoni Iraola, as discussed by Dave Davis and Michael Reid on Anfield Index, is rooted in one obvious footballing idea, this team needs more energy. After a season under Arne Slot in which Liverpool’s intensity dropped, Reid made the central point early, saying the team had “looked to lack that energy and lack that drive.” For a club whose supporters had become used to high tempo football, that was always going to matter.

Davis framed Iraola as the kind of coach Liverpool were looking for, describing the brief as “front-footed aggressive and dynamic.” Reid agreed that Iraola fits that description, calling him “certainly the opposite” of what Liverpool had become during a flat campaign.

Pressing Numbers Should Rise

The most important part of the conversation was the pressing data. Reid explained that Bournemouth under Iraola ranked “third in the league” for high turnovers. He defined those as moments when a team wins possession “within 40 metres of the opponent’s goal line.”

That is exactly the kind of metric Liverpool supporters will be watching. Reid also said Bournemouth were “third for shot ending high turnovers,” which means they were not merely winning the ball high up the pitch, they were doing something useful with it.

As Reid put it, “that indicates the press,” and shows that Bournemouth were able to “win the ball out the pitch and create chances from that.” For Liverpool, this is where the improvement could be immediate. The pressing may not be perfect from day one, but the intention should be obvious.

Direct Attacks Will Change Liverpool’s Tempo

The other major theme was directness. Reid said Bournemouth were “the best in the league” for direct attacks and direct speed. He explained direct attacks as “pretty much your counterattacking football,” describing how often a team builds “quickly from defence to attack.”

Direct speed, Reid said, measures “how quickly you progress up the field when you have the ball.” Bournemouth ranked first in the Premier League for that too.

That is crucial because Liverpool had often become too slow and safe. Reid said, “we’ve seen so many times a Liverpool player pick up the ball and might play it sideways, might play it backwards.” His conclusion on Iraola was blunt, “we will not see that with him.”

Instead, Reid expects a team that takes more risks. “He’s happy for us to take that risky pass and take that pass forward and try to attack quickly,” he said.

Photo: IMAGO

Less Control, More Threat

One of the most interesting points was about possession. Reid noted that Liverpool were “second in the league for possession this season,” but Bournemouth do not play that way under Iraola. Reid said, “They don’t have a high average of possession because they want to attack quickly.”

That means Liverpool may have less control of the ball, but more threat with it. Reid described the idea clearly, “Attack with pace, attack with speed, take risks.” He accepted that risks can mean “you might get caught out,” but the trade off may be worth it if Liverpool become more dangerous and more entertaining.

Liverpool Fans Want A Team To Believe In

Reid returned several times to the importance of style. He said Liverpool fans “just want to enjoy watching the team play football again.” That line feels central to Iraola’s appeal.

Later, when discussing what the early statistics might look like under Iraola, Reid said, “I think we will certainly see the pressing numbers increase.” He also expected Liverpool to be in “that top three category” for high turnovers, similar to Bournemouth.

There may be problems. Reid warned Liverpool could “give up a lot of big chances” if the press goes wrong. But he also believes the speed of play should improve quickly, saying he expects to see changes in “how quickly are we passing the ball” and “how much are we passing it forward.”

That is the Iraola promise, more pressing, more direct attacks, more risk and, Liverpool hope, much more life.