Andoni Iraola opened his tenure as Liverpool's head coach with a 4-2 triumph over Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium on Saturday, prompting a host of observations about the new manager's approach and the squad's condition. The victory, while a positive start, also highlighted several issues that will need addressing as the season progresses.
First, the pre‑season lineup raised eyebrows. With doubts surrounding the fitness of several senior defenders—Jeremy Jacquet, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni—there was speculation about who would partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the back line. In reality, Leoni is still months away from returning after a season‑ending ACL injury suffered on his Liverpool debut last September; he only joined from Parma in the summer.
Jacquet, meanwhile, has just recovered from a shoulder problem that sidelined him shortly after his February move to the club, and he missed the Sunderland game due to a minor knock. Consequently, the burden fell on the injury‑prone Joe Gomez, who started the match and even captained the side in Tennessee. His involvement lasted a mere ten minutes before he was forced off with what Iraola described as "the worst news of the day." The injury appeared to be a muscle strain, but it served as a stark reminder that Liverpool cannot rely on Gomez to stay fit for extended periods. The club will likely need to explore the market for another centre‑back before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.
Beyond the defensive concerns, the game itself offered a glimpse of Iraola's footballing philosophy. The former Bournemouth boss replaced Arne Slot, whose tenure ended after a tepid draw with Chelsea in May that was met with a chorus of boos at Anfield. Slot had lifted the Premier League trophy just a year earlier, but his possession‑heavy, slow‑build style gradually alienated supporters as results dipped. Iraola, by contrast, promised a more energetic, dynamic brand of football.
In his inaugural press conference he declared: "I want my team to be energetic. I want to be dynamic, to play in the opposition half as much as we can, sometimes on the ball, sometimes without the ball, and try to suffocate the opposition." While it is premature to draw firm conclusions after a single 90‑minute performance involving 22 players, several moments in Nashville hinted at the direction Iraola wants to take.
The opening goal came in the 13th minute after a fluid sequence that showcased the technical abilities of James McConnell, Rio Ngumoha and Harvey Elliott. Their interplay produced a clean finish from Kieran Morrison, setting the tone for a more forward‑driven approach. Later, Lewis Koumas added a late strike that resulted from a well‑executed counter‑press, underscoring the emphasis on winning the ball high up the pitch. Dominik Szoboszlai's influence was also evident.
The Hungarian midfielder, who recently signed a new five‑year contract, delivered a second‑half performance that reinforced his status as a pivotal cog in the Liverpool machine. Not only did he score an impressive long‑range volley to level the score, but his relentless pressing and movement exemplified the high‑intensity style Iraola champions. Szoboszlai also supplied the assist for Koumas's goal, highlighting his dual threat as both a scorer and creator.
Iraola's admiration for German gegenpressing, which he mentioned in an interview with The Times, suggests that Szoboszlai will become a central figure in a three‑man midfield designed to disrupt opponents quickly after losing possession. This tactical nuance differentiates Iraola from his predecessor, who was often criticised for not trusting Liverpool's younger talents, particularly the promising English forward Rio Ngumoha. In contrast, Iraola has shown a willingness to give youngsters opportunities, a habit he developed during his time at Bournemouth where he regularly fielded academy prospects.
Indeed, several academy‑grade players made an impact against Sunderland. Trey Nyoni, the England U20 midfielder, displayed composure and maturity in the second half, while his Wales counterpart, Lewis Koumas, injected energy and flair into the attack. Both players impressed with their work rate and technical skill, suggesting they could earn more minutes as the season unfolds. Harvey Elliott, returning to the first team after a loan spell at Aston Villa, also shone in a central attacking role.
At 23, Elliott possesses the versatility to operate across the front line, and under Iraola's guidance he may develop into a more consistent contributor, much like Alex Scott did during their shared time at Bournemouth. Overall, Iraola's debut, discounting Gomez's untimely injury, can be considered a success. Securing a win in his first competitive outing builds confidence and provides a solid foundation for the new manager to implement his ideas. The Basque coach himself acknowledged the early stage of the process, noting the players' heavy legs and lack of freshness after a short pre‑season.
He said, "It's the first day. You could feel the heavy legs, the players have been training.
So, we lacked some freshness. But it will give us a good starting point to improve things." The squad also missed several World Cup participants, including finalists Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Munoz, who will join the traveling party in Chicago on Sunday. Iraola expressed optimism about integrating them, stating, "They are already there in Chicago. They are waiting for us.
Alex [Isak], Flo [Wirtz] and Ryan [Gravenberch]. They will start training from tomorrow with us and we still have two more games in the USA.
I hope we use them properly and we go forward improving slowly, slowly the things that today didn't work." In summary, the Nashville fixture offered a snapshot of Iraola's vision: a high‑pressing, energetic side that embraces youthful exuberance while relying on key figures like Szoboszlai to drive the attack. Defensive depth remains a concern, with Gomez's injury underscoring the need for additional recruitment. As the pre‑season continues and the full squad reconvenes, Liverpool fans can anticipate a shift away from the possession‑laden, slow build‑up of the Slot era toward a more aggressive, pressing identity that aims to suffocate opponents and dominate the opposition half.
The upcoming fixtures—Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Bournemouth and a high‑profile clash with Manchester City—will provide further data points to assess how quickly Iraola's ideas take root and whether the Reds can translate this early promise into sustained success throughout the campaign.