Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s head coach, has emphasized the need for greater defensive work from his attacking players following a mixed start to the Premier League season. After supervising a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town, where striker Alexander Isak scored both goals, Iraola downplayed individual performances and instead focused on the collective shortcomings in Liverpool’s pressing and ball recovery.
During Liverpool’s goalless draw against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday, Iraola expressed frustration with the attacking unit’s inability to regain possession high up the pitch. Despite the attacking quartet of Isak, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, and Víctor Muñoz — collectively valued at around £400 million — none could make a decisive impact in breaking down an opponent that had yet to earn a point this season. The coach identified this as a key reason why the team struggled to break down Fulham’s defense.
Iraola specifically highlighted the team’s defensive effort as a collective responsibility. “Compared to the previous games we won the ball a lot lower in the pitch,” he said, outlining how this forced Liverpool to launch attacks against a full complement of defenders rather than exploiting space behind a higher defensive line. “We need to recover the ball as high as possible because it makes the offensive side a lot easier and the situations to attack one-v-one or against fewer players are bigger.”
Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s vice-captain, was noted as part of the broader issue after statistical analysis revealed he won only one out of ten duels against Fulham, although Iraola warned against attributing the team’s underperformance to any single individual. Data from the match showed Muñoz won 80 percent of his duels, Isak 66.7 percent, while Wirtz and Barcola each managed 50 percent, an output the coach deemed insufficient relative to the team’s expectations.
Iraola stressed that improving collective intensity and support among all positions is essential, drawing comparisons with how higher pressing by forwards aids defenders by limiting opponents’ ability to build play with clean possessions. “When we all collectively play well then everyone looks smarter, looks better, looks in a better position,” he said.
This focus on defensive contribution from offensive players comes as Liverpool navigate a congested fixture schedule. Iraola acknowledged the team took a “step backwards” in their third match within nine days, indicating a need for adjustment and rotation. Changes are expected for the upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur, with young midfielder Lewis Koumas, praised for his work rate off the ball, in contention for increased involvement.
In related news, veteran former Liverpool midfielder James Milner has returned to the club on a temporary basis to support coaching in the academy ranks. Milner, 40, who retired at the end of last season, is working toward his UEFA Pro Licence and has been invited by academy director Alex Inglethorpe to contribute to the development of Liverpool’s younger players.