It wasn’t just Liverpool supporters who noticed the dramatic change in style during the Reds’ first pre-season match under Andoni Iraola.
According to reports from those at the game, even Sunderland’s players were surprised by how different Liverpool looked compared to last season.
That, perhaps more than anything, tells you just how quickly Iraola has begun putting his own stamp on the team.
A Completely Different Identity
Last season, Liverpool often looked patient to the point of predictability.
The emphasis was on retaining possession, building slowly and trying to work openings through controlled football.
Against Sunderland, the approach looked very different.
Liverpool were:
● More aggressive.
● More direct.
● More intense.
● Quicker to attack.
● Far more willing to play forward early.
It wasn’t just supporters in the stands who recognised the change.
Apparently, Sunderland’s players did too.
Pressing With Purpose
One of the biggest differences was Liverpool’s work without the ball.
Instead of allowing Sunderland time to build from the back, the Reds pressed high and forced mistakes.
Every player seemed to know exactly when to step forward and when to close passing lanes.
It looked organised.
It looked energetic.
Most importantly, it looked uncomfortable for the opposition.
Direct Football Is Back
Another noticeable change was Liverpool’s willingness to go long when necessary.
Under the previous approach, the Reds often insisted on playing short regardless of the situation.
Against Sunderland, they mixed things up.
Sometimes they built patiently.
Sometimes they went direct.
That unpredictability immediately made Liverpool more difficult to defend against.
Early Signs of Iraola’s Influence
Nobody is suggesting Liverpool are already the finished article.
It was only one pre-season game.
Players are still returning from international duty, while others are building fitness after injury.
But the early signs were impossible to ignore.
Within a matter of weeks, Iraola already appears to have introduced a very different mentality.
The players looked freer.
The football looked faster.
The intensity looked much closer to what Liverpool supporters have been craving.
Exactly What Fans Wanted
Many supporters spent last season asking for Liverpool to become more aggressive again.
To press higher.
To attack quicker.
To stop becoming so predictable in possession.
Against Sunderland, those requests finally appeared to be taking shape.
The fact that even opposition players reportedly commented on the difference only reinforces how obvious the transformation already looks.
Still Plenty of Work to Do
Of course, the real tests are still to come.
Premier League football is a completely different challenge to pre-season friendlies.
But if Liverpool continue developing along the path shown against Sunderland, there is every reason for supporters to feel optimistic.
One game will never define a season.
But sometimes one performance is enough to show that something genuinely new is beginning.
And judging by the reaction from both Liverpool supporters and Sunderland’s players, Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool already feels like a very different team.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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