Andoni Iraola remains without a Premier League victory as Liverpool manager, but his side’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest offered further evidence that his high-intensity approach is beginning to take hold.
The Spaniard was appointed during the northern hemisphere summer with the task of rebuilding a Liverpool team damaged by the collapse of their title defence last season. Liverpool fell from champions in 2025 to fifth place, despite spending a Premier League-record £446m (R9.7bn) on new players.
Iraola’s brief is to return the club to the top of English football while restoring the relentless energy that once made Anfield one of Europe’s most intimidating grounds.
His preferred solution is to attack rather than retreat. Liverpool are being encouraged to play forward quickly, press aggressively and sustain a high tempo an approach likely to appeal to supporters who watched Jurgen Klopp’s “heavy-metal football” before Arne Slot introduced a more controlled style during his two-year reign.
But the change remains incomplete. Nottingham Forest opened the scoring through Dan Ndoye after a direct counterattack, while Liverpool struggled to find rhythm for much of a slow first half.
“I think we improved a lot in the second half. We were much more intense, much quicker on the ball, with more sense of urgency,” Iraola said.
“But it’s not enough to win the game, and I think we have to blame the first half that we had.”
Liverpool show greater urgency after the interval
The improvement was clear after the break. Alexander Isak brought Liverpool level shortly after the hour mark, before newcomer Victor Munoz rescued another point with a late equaliser.
Munoz had also played a decisive role in Liverpool’s opening match six days earlier, winning the late penalty that secured a 2-2 draw with Newcastle.
“I think Victor has been very good in both games,” Iraola said.
“Everything hasn’t been perfect, but he’s continued trying all the time, and he’s gone again and again and again. I like this a lot from the wingers. He has always been a threat and also defensively has helped us a lot.”
Liverpool’s slow starts are a greater concern for Iraola, with the issue carrying over from last season. The manager believes their lack of intensity without possession allowed opponents to gain control and prevented Liverpool from developing attacks quickly enough.
“When we improved the intensity, we won more duels and started attacking quicker and attacking better. This lack of intensity without the ball has hurt us,” he said.
Despite the winless beginning, there is little sense of panic around Anfield. Iraola had already warned that changing Liverpool’s tactical identity would take time, while a demand for consistently higher speed and aggression was never likely to be fulfilled immediately.
The manager is also set to receive further attacking support. Liverpool have finalised an agreement to sign France winger Bradley Barcola from Paris St Germain, according to British media reports.
The 23-year-old’s pace and direct running are viewed as a strong match for Iraola’s high-octane system.
For now, Liverpool are still moving between potential and tangible results. Their performances are becoming more entertaining and the new approach is increasingly visible, but the victories Iraola needs have yet to arrive.
Reuters
