Liverpool have remained undefeated under Andoni Iraola, securing nine wins and three draws across 13 matches in all competitions.
This strong start provides a backdrop for Sunday’s 16:30 GMT Premier League encounter against reigning champions Arsenal, who have not tasted victory at Anfield since 2012. You have go back to 2012 for the last time Arsenal won a game at Anfield. For vast parts of last season, Anfield lost its fear factor and watching Liverpool became a turgid experience.
While Gunners boss Mikel Arteta—who played in that final win over a decade ago—aims to break the drought, Liverpool enters the contest fresh off a five-game winning streak following their sole loss to Manchester City on 11 October. In recent years – whenever this fixture comes around – it is well documented that a certain Mikel Arteta was playing for the Gunners on that day. Whoever controls the game is whoever controls the chances,” he said, after Liverpool ‘s 2-0 win over Brighton, where the Reds only had the ball for 35.6% of the playing time.
The atmosphere at Anfield has undergone a notable shift in recent weeks, with a renewed connection between the squad and the supporters. Following a gritty win against Villarreal and a crucial Premier League victory over Brighton, the club is experiencing a surge of optimism. Iraola acknowledged the home advantage, stating that the unique environment created by the fans provides a significant edge over opposing sides. The connection between the fanbase and the side seems to have grown again, in the past fortnight. According to we have a big advantage over other teams because this atmosphere we can create is special,”, Iraola.
Iraola’s tactical influence is reflected in the increased pressure and energy displayed by his team. While the squad is covering slightly less distance per game—111.1 km compared to 111.7 km last season—they are recording higher numbers in high-press situations, averaging 165.9 per game, and producing more sprints. The manager emphasizes quality of chances over mere possession, noting that controlling the game is about dictating the most dangerous moments. Compared to 21 last term, liverpool are averaging 24.9 long balls per Premier League game this season. Compared to 160.1) and sprints (128.3 per game, compared to 123.2), Iraola’s side are doing more in comparison to last season but they are actually cover, in terms of high pressures in the opposition half (165.9 per game. It’s more a matter of getting the decisions right, in terms of loading and freshening the legs.
Player performance has seen a marked improvement, with Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, and recent high-profile signings like Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet establishing themselves within the side. Iraola has also demonstrated a willingness to integrate younger talent, handing opportunities to players like Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas, and James McConnell.
Rotation has become a cornerstone of Iraola’s management, with the team making at least three changes to the starting XI in nine consecutive matches.
The manager admitted his adaptation to coaching two games a week relies heavily on collaboration with analysts and managing physical loads for the players. But you do a lot of the job with the analysts, in the video room with the board and without spending the legs but I think our players are very used to it so a lot of the work is done, it’s different to managing.
As a former professional, he understands the rigors of frequent travel and late-night fixtures, allowing him to prioritize freshness for the current campaign.
Captain Virgil van Dijk described the new tactical identity as a high-stakes balance of risk and reward. According to the ‘intensity’ word has been, So many times, sometimes a bit of chaos and there is this risk-reward that’s going on now as well,” he said. It’s this sort of intensity that we try to get into our press.
The defender explained that the team’s intense pressing system occasionally leaves them exposed, but the squad is committed to refining this approach to minimize vulnerability. Van Dijk noted instances where the high line allows for rapid transitions, such as when he intercepted the ball on the right-hand side to set up a potential scoring chance for Gakpo.
The upcoming match against Arsenal will serve as a significant benchmark for Liverpool’s progress. A win would narrow the gap between the two sides to three points, while a loss could see the deficit grow to nine. Despite talk of a title challenge, Iraola maintains that it is too early to focus on the league table, insisting there is still another level for his players to reach as they continue their work in progress. They will sense an opportunity to deliver a statement to the rest of the Premier League, facing Arsenal at the end of a week in which the Gunners were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two Fleetwood. Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool are the biggest title challengers to Arsenal,, external though, speaking on Friday, Iraola insisted it was too early to look at the table.
