If Liverpool’s first Anfield game under Andoni Iraola is anything to go by, supporters could be in for an incredibly entertaining season.
There is a clear identity beginning to emerge.
Liverpool want to play with intensity, press aggressively and attack at pace.
And with the attacking talent now available to Iraola, there is every reason to believe this could become one of the most exciting Liverpool teams to watch.
But there is another side to that.
Liverpool could also be vulnerable at the back.
The attacking football could be frightening
The biggest reason for optimism is what Liverpool can do when they have the ball.
Florian Wirtz looks capable of becoming the creative heartbeat of this team, while Alexander Isak already looks like the striker Liverpool have been crying out for.
The combination of Wirtz behind Isak is particularly exciting.
Wirtz can find pockets of space, create chances and unlock defences, while Isak has the movement and finishing ability to punish teams.
Then you add players such as Cody Gakpo, Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai and the exciting youngsters coming through.
There is pace.
There is creativity.
There is movement.
And, most importantly, there is unpredictability.
Liverpool should be capable of scoring against anyone.
The press is going to be fascinating
Iraola also appears determined to bring an aggressive pressing game to Liverpool.
That could be hugely exciting.
When Liverpool win the ball high up the pitch, they have the players to turn possession into chances within seconds.
Wirtz can immediately look for Isak.
Frimpong can burst forward.
Szoboszlai can drive into the space.
Gakpo can attack defenders.
It could be relentless.
But there is a catch.
The more Liverpool attack, the more exposed they could become
An aggressive attacking team inevitably takes risks.
When Liverpool push their full-backs forward and commit numbers into the final third, there will be space behind them.
If the press is beaten, the opposition can suddenly find themselves running towards Liverpool’s defence.
That is exactly where Liverpool looked vulnerable against Monaco.
The Reds were comfortable when they controlled the game, but once Monaco began finding ways through the press, Liverpool looked far less secure.
The penalty conceded and the late winner were reminders that Liverpool still have work to do defensively.
Iraola needs to find the balance
This is probably going to be one of the biggest challenges of Iraola’s first season.
He shouldn’t abandon the aggressive football simply because there are risks.
The attacking identity is one of the most exciting things about this Liverpool team.
But the players have to understand when to attack and when to protect themselves.
The midfield has to provide enough cover.
The defenders need to be comfortable defending large spaces.
The full-backs need to know when they can attack and when they have to stay.
And Liverpool have to become much better at dealing with transitions.
It could be a brilliant watch
There is a very real possibility that Liverpool will be involved in some spectacular games this season.
I can see them scoring plenty of goals.
I can see Wirtz producing moments of magic.
I can see Isak frightening defenders.
I can see Liverpool’s press winning the ball back high up the pitch.
But I can also see teams hurting Liverpool on the counter-attack.
And that could make for some incredibly entertaining — and occasionally nerve-racking — football.
The answer isn’t to make Liverpool less adventurous.
It’s to make them better at managing the risks that come with being adventurous.
If Iraola can get that balance right, Liverpool could be an absolute joy to watch.
Exciting going forward. Aggressive without the ball. But much harder to break down at the back.
That has to be the target.
Because if Liverpool can combine their attacking quality with defensive reliability, this new era under Iraola could be something very special indeed.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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