League: EPL Sport: Soccer Country: England Category: General

Liverpool draws on pre-season tactics under Andoni Iraola

2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 10, 2026, 5:15 AM

Last updated Aug 10, 2026

Liverpool draws on pre-season tactics under Andoni Iraola

Summary

Liverpool has played four pre-season matches as Andoni Iraola assumes his role as head coach. The team achieved victories against Sunderland and Wrexham but suffered defeats after giving up two-goal leads to Leeds and Monaco. Under Iraola, Liverpool has recorded an average possession of 60.6%, indicating a strategic shift while trying to emulate the intense playing style reminiscent of previous manager Jurgen Klopp. The next challenge for Iraola is to adapt to teams that sit deep against Liverpool's style.

Source Links

BBC Sport

Key Details

•Liverpool wins against Sunderland and Wrexham in pre-season.
•The Reds lose leads against Leeds and Monaco.
•Iraola's tactics focus on maintaining high possession.
•Average possession is up by 12.9% compared to last season.
•The team is adapting to teams defending deep.

Latest Updates

5:15 AMBBC Sport — How Liverpool are shaping up under Iraola

What they're saying

"
Four pre-season games is a very small sample, but Andoni Iraola is starting to put his stamp on Liverpool. So how are the Reds shaping up under their new boss?
— BBC Sport

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