Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has warned his players they cannot continue to start games so slowly after successive draws
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola talks with Dominik Szoboszlai
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola talks with Dominik Szoboszlai(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola has revealed he has already held talks with his Liverpool squad over the lack of urgency starting games that became a major issue under predecessor Arne Slot.
The Reds have fallen behind early in both of their Premier League games this season - conceding after only five minutes in the opener at Newcastle United - before fighting back to ultimately earn successive 2-2 draws.
On the 22 occasions Liverpool conceded the first goal last season, they lost 18 times with their only comeback wins at home to Newcastle in the Premier League and at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
Iraola was critical of the aggression shown by his team at St James' Park a fortnight ago, particularly when allowing the home team to score their second goal.
And the Reds boss wants his players to be more proactive from the first whistle as he looks for his debut win in charge at Ipswich Town on Friday evening.
"We have to play with some sense of urgency from the beginning of the game," he said. "Sometimes you start the game and you are like 'okay, let's see what happens today'.
"No, it's like we need already in the first minute, 0-0, we are not comfortable, we have to go for the game, and not wait until the other team has a couple of chances or they score a goal for us to start taking more risks and for us to be more vertical and playing faster on the ball.
"I talk a lot with the players about having a sense of urgency. When we start the game we know there are 90 minutes to play, but we need to start more urgently because it will help us play at a higher tempo - and I think we are better in those situations.
"The first goal in football is very important. It gives you an advantage and you can play in a different way when you are winning."
New £123million signing Bradley Barcola is in line for a debut at Portman Road, and Iraola believes the arrival of the double Champions League winner, three-time La Liga champion Ronald Araujo and World Cup winner Victor Munoz will add to the experience of the squad.
"Firstly we have signed some good players," said the Reds head coach. "Players who are close to our game model, players that give us speed, some physicality also, and after they have this experience.
"Bradley and Ronald have much more, Victor doesn't have maybe the same experience. But always experience is an extra piece, especially for big clubs, that is very valuable."