Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool are preparing for their Premier League campaign opener at Newcastle on August 23, but recent friendly performances have raised questions about the squad’s physical readiness. For the second consecutive match, the team surrendered a two-goal lead to suffer a defeat, this time falling 3-2 to Monaco at Anfield on Sunday.
In Chicago on August 2, following a 4-2 loss to Leeds, Iraola remarked that the experience was useful as he “learned a lot of things” about his side. However, his tone shifted after the Monaco match, where he was more candid about the challenges ahead. With only two weeks remaining before the competitive season begins, Iraola stated his team has “work to do” because they currently cannot sustain the high-intensity level he demands for the full duration of a match.
Iraola noted that while his players performed well during the first 30 minutes against Monaco, they simply “don’t have much more, in terms of the levels required to play like this.” The first half against Leeds and the opening half-hour against Monaco represented the best football Liverpool have played during pre-season, characterized by rapid ball movement and intense pressing from players like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
However, as the matches progressed and substitutions were made—Iraola utilized nine players against Leeds and 11 against Monaco—the team’s performance dropped significantly. The drop-off was stark, with Leeds scoring four goals in 25 minutes without reply, while Monaco netted three unanswered goals in 44 minutes. These collapses suggest a lack of depth and conditioning that the manager is clearly eager to address.
Some squad members are still recovering fitness after post-World Cup breaks, while others, including Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, and Giovanni Leoni, remain sidelined for extended periods. To bolster the defensive options, Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo is nearing a season-long loan move from Barcelona. Addressing the need for reinforcements, captain Virgil van Dijk said on Sunday: “Let’s see what the next couple of weeks are going to bring. Any quality we can add to the team will definitely be welcome so let’s see.”
Iraola is adamant that general fitness must improve to support his tactical identity. His assistant, Pablo de la Torre, who previously served as the fitness coach at Bournemouth, is central to this transition. Training sessions have been grueling; one player said Sport that he felt sick after the initial sessions, and losing sides in training drills are frequently punished with sprints across the full length of the pitch.
During open training in Chicago, the intensity was visible as Iraola repeatedly shouted “quicker, quicker” to his players. Milos Kerkez explained that the manager is demanding they “play one-on-one all over the pitch, to press high and to always be on the front foot.” This philosophy mirrors Iraola’s tenure at Bournemouth, where his side ranked first in the league for direct attacks and third for high turnovers.
While it took Iraola 10 games to secure his first win at Bournemouth during the 2023-24 season, such a start at Liverpool would be viewed as unacceptable. Nevertheless, his track record suggests that his persistence with this high-energy style eventually yields results. The signs of an entertaining, aggressive team are present, but the manager acknowledges the transition will take time.
Reflecting on the timeline for his vision, Iraola said: “I would like to say, no, on the first day, we are going to be perfect, everyone will be in place, but probably it is not going to be like this. We will have to do this as quickly as possible.”
But as the game progressed and changes were made – Iraola made nine against Leeds and 11 against Monaco – Liverpool have looked like a different team and certainly not for the better.
