Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between defensive caution and attacking freedom as his team continues to adapt to his tactical approach. Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, Iraola acknowledged that while the team must remain vigilant defensively, he does not intend to restrict his players’ natural attacking instincts.

Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Sunday exposed ongoing defensive vulnerabilities. Both goals they conceded resulted from counter-attacks, with the team’s midfield and full-backs positioned high up the pitch, leaving the centre-backs exposed. This vulnerability echoes issues from last season under former manager Arne Slot, when Liverpool conceded 52 goals over 38 league fixtures—one of the highest totals in the Premier League.

Iraola, who is still embedding his methods and searching for the optimal player combinations, emphasized that defensive solidity cannot come at the expense of offensive initiative. “We didn’t do a proper lockdown,” he said in reference to the struggles against counter-attacks. “But there is a balance. We cannot go from one way where we send a lot of people forward to keeping everyone back.”

He stressed the need for players to make situational judgments on the pitch rather than being micromanaged. Specifically, Iraola mentioned maintaining attacking impetus through key players such as Ryan Gravenberch, stating, “I don’t want to tell Ryan Gravenberch, ‘Don’t carry the ball and don’t arrive to the box’.” According to Iraola, the ability of players to “smell” danger and respond accordingly is crucial, as it is not feasible to control every movement during a match.

Liverpool will face Nottingham Forest at home, where Iraola is expected to continue his approach of blending defensive awareness with offensive aggression as the team seeks to improve its Premier League standing early in the 2026-27 season.