‘There has to be another level’: Iraola sets Liverpool challenge before Arsenal

How Andoni Iraola is improving Liverpool through intensity, rotation and Anfield belief

Liverpool’s progress under Andoni Iraola is becoming visible in more than their results. A stronger connection with Anfield, greater confidence across the squad and a more aggressive approach without the ball are giving the team a clearer identity.

Five consecutive victories have brought encouragement ahead of Arsenal’s visit. Yet Iraola’s message remains that Liverpool have further to go, with the meeting against the champions offering a demanding measure of their development.

In his report, football journalist Aadam Patel identifies rotation and the management of physical effort as important parts of that improvement. Liverpool are pressing and sprinting more, but their overall running distance has barely changed. The emphasis is on how they use their energy.

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Iraola seeks to strengthen Liverpool’s Anfield connection

Recent home matches have helped restore enthusiasm around the team. The comeback against Villarreal produced a lively European night, followed by victory over Brighton and a penalty shootout success against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

Iraola sees the atmosphere as something Liverpool can actively use.

“We have a big advantage over other teams because this atmosphere we can create is special,” he said.

That relationship is being strengthened by contributions from different parts of the squad. Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz have shown encouraging signs, while Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo have improved on their previous campaign.

Ronald Araujo has quickly connected with supporters, and Jeremy Jacquet has settled well in defence. Younger players are also receiving opportunities, giving the crowd further reasons to respond to a team whose progress feels shared.

Squad rotation becomes central to demanding schedule

Liverpool have made at least three changes to their starting line-up in nine consecutive matches, according to Patel’s report.

That pattern reflects Iraola’s attempts to balance preparation, recovery and performance as he adapts to regularly coaching twice a week.

“It’s true that when I came, I didn’t have a lot of experience coaching two games a week, but I had a lot as a player of when you arrive back at 3am in the morning and so on,” he said.

His approach involves doing more work through analysis rather than demanding every adjustment on the training pitch.

“You do a lot of the job with the analysts, in the video room with the board and without spending the legs.”

The practical decisions concern who is ready to perform and when changes are necessary.

“We are changing the team a lot from game to game and I think we will continue this approach.”

Trust in Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas and James McConnell helps make that policy possible.

Pressing figures reveal more targeted Liverpool intensity

Iraola’s view of control goes beyond possession.

“Whoever controls the game is whoever controls the chances,” he said after the 2-0 victory over Brighton.

Liverpool had only 35.6 per cent possession in that match, choosing a more direct approach against opponents comfortable keeping the ball.

The wider figures also suggest a shift. Liverpool are averaging 24.9 long balls per Premier League game, compared with 21 last season. High pressures in the opposition half have risen from 160.1 to 165.9 per match, while sprints have increased from 123.2 to 128.3.

Overall distance has fallen slightly, from 111.7km to 111.1km per game.

Those figures suggest the change is not simply about running further. Liverpool are producing more of the sharp, aggressive actions that can disrupt opponents and create opportunities before a defence settles.

Van Dijk acknowledges risks behind developing approach

Virgil van Dijk recognises that greater aggression brings vulnerabilities as well as rewards.

“It’s still a work in progress, but if you defend with a lot of intensity you have a big chance to win the ball high,” the captain said.

“Sometimes, that creates some risk and it could be vulnerable, but we’re working on it a lot in order to be able to take that risk, but still not be as vulnerable as we have been sometimes.”

That is the balance Liverpool must refine against Arsenal. Victory would reduce the gap between the teams to three points; defeat would extend it to nine.

Iraola insists “there has to be another level”, despite the recent results. The next stage is to combine Liverpool’s growing attacking confidence with greater security when their press is bypassed.

Anfield’s renewed belief helps. Producing a complete performance against the champions would give it firmer foundations.