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Andoni Iraola## Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has revealed the Liverpool change he felt from the Reds under Andoni Iraola after a "surprising" Arne Slot tactic in last year's Premier League games
15:36, 26 Jul 2026
Andoni Iraola and Dan Ballard.
Andoni Iraola and Dan Ballard.(Image: Getty Images)
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has outlined the difference between Arne Slot's Liverpool and Andoni Iraola's version of the Reds after facing them in pre-season this weekend.
Ballard's side lost 4-2, with the Liverpool goals scored by Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas. Iraola's players implemented the new approach relatively well given this was the first match since the Spaniard took over, though it would be unwise to make too firm a judgment based on one friendly.
"I think there was a lot of differences," Ballard told reporters. "I think the new gaffer sets the team up in the press very differently and he is very intense in the way he wants his teams to play.
"We did a lot of work looking at the Bournemouth team of last year, and they are very aggressive in their press, and they play very vertically and go straight for goal.
"That is a little bit different from Slot's team, which was a little more possession-based. They gave us a bit more time on the ball last year, which we were quite surprised at, playing Liverpool and knowing them throughout the years."
Part of the Liverpool rationale for moving on from Slot was the desire to play a higher intensity brand of football. Iraola brings that in spades, though there were other factors to consider in the underperformance as well.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 25: Andoni Iraola of Liverpool yells a play during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at GEODIS Park on July 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola during the friendly match between Liverpool and Sunderland at GEODIS Park on July 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee(Image: Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Last summer, Liverpool's pre-season was disrupted by the tragic loss of Diogo Jota. When the campaign kicked off, the Reds' roster was struck down with a variety of costly injuries across the pitch.
Teenage forward Morrison, who impressed with a strong performance against Sunderland, also spoke about the changes that Iraola has implemented in the short period since he took charge.
"It's like a new philosophy this past week," Morrison said on LFCTV. "Whatever he's been doing at Bournemouth, it's obviously worked.
"He's one of the best managers in the league. He's come here and he's taught me varied and different playing styles. He's telling me things I've never heard of before. It's a credit to Andoni.
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"Obviously I take it game by game. I was just glad to get on the plane in the first place for pre-season and I'm glad he trusted me to start. I'm glad to help the team with a goal. We'll see where that takes me now."
Liverpool.com says: There should be a difference in intensity under Iraola, who is very full throttle. In order for that to work in the long term, though, he will need more players.
Right now, Liverpool doesn't have a deep enough roster to be able to cope with the demands of the domestic and European game next year, but there is still sufficient time to put that right.
Liverpool FC
Andoni Iraola
Sunderland AFC