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How Andoni Iraola’s formation tweak fixes Liverpool’s midfield problem

There are signs that Andoni Iraola is adapting Liverpool’s formation, not only to better implement his high-energy pressing, but also to solve some problems defensively, writes James Nalton.

The main defensive problem at Liverpool has been obvious for some time now.

The gaps between the pressing lines have been too big, leaving gaping holes in midfield when the opposition have been able to evade the initial press, and leaving the back line exposed.

That issue is exacerbated when both Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez position themselves high up the pitch, leaving the centre-backs completely isolated.

This manifests itself most obviously in the lack of any kind of defensive midfielder in the squad, or at least one the manager trusts.

Wataru Endo is one, but was rarely used by Arne Slot, and it seems he won’t be by Iraola.

Defensive midfielders can operate in the deepest (No. 6) or the box-to-box (No. 8) positions, but Liverpool have none in either, so it looks like Iraola has tried to begin solving this problem by dropping Frimpong and tweaking the formation with a ‘third’ defender.

Dropping Jeremie Frimpong and having a ‘third defender’

CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong speaks to head coach Andoni Iraola (R) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

One way to add more insurance throughout the team positionally is to add a staggered third back.

Most successful teams do this in some way, but Liverpool are left with only one way of doing this at the moment.

One of the best examples of this in the way the modern game has evolved was the Barcelona team that used Eric Abidal as a defensive left-back, with an attacking right wing-back on the other side who was relieved of some defensive duties as a result.

This is the kind of option Liverpool have at the moment.

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The other way to add the third back is to have a central defensive midfielder who operates as a half-back, not only dropping between the two central defenders during in-possession build-up play, but also acting almost as an auxiliary centre-back when the team are in full attack mode in the opposition half.

Fabinho was an example of this, pretty much, under Jurgen Klopp, and this shape allows both full-backs to get involved in attacks, as we saw so successfully with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.

Seeing as Iraola doesn’t have a central defensive midfielder to afford both full-backs such attacking freedom, it makes sense that he has begun to look at the first option.

Solving tactical gaps in defence and attack

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's new signing Ronald Araújo during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

This leads us to another problem Liverpool have, which is that when their full-backs are given some attacking freedom, they still aren’t very effective.

This indicates a failure in recruitment, but at least Iraola is working out a way to solve the defensive problems. He doesn’t have another choice, really.

In Ronald Araujo and Joe Gomez, Liverpool have two right-sided defenders who are ideal for this defensive right full-back role and can sometimes act as a third centre-back in certain situations.

This was evident in the average positions of the team against Ipswich.

The start of a new-look shape for Liverpool under Iraola? Almost 3-4-3 at times. Araujo (33) and Munoz (23) roles key.

Suited several players, and begins to solve the problems the club didn't solve for him in the transfer market. pic.twitter.com/yf5m3Z6czP

— James Nalton (@JDNalton) September 5, 2026

In solving a defensive problem, the Basque boss might also begin to solve some attacking ones.

Though the recruitment in recent windows deserves some criticism, Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola are positives, and should be good signings who give Liverpool plenty of options up top.

While we wait for Florian Wirtz to really show why the club paid so much for him, suggesting he’s only suited to certain formations or very specific roles, there should be no such positional worries with these two wingers.

Kerkez and Araujo Ipswich heatmaps

The combined pace and touch of Munoz has been a much-needed addition. If he starts to include end product on top of terrorising defenders into giving away fouls or forcing them into hanging back scared of making tackles, he could be a real success story.

Barcola’s reputation for similar things speaks for itself.

Cody Gakpo was almost sold, but is now finding an ideal role under Iraola in which he looks like a genuine first-team regular, not like the backup player who was asked to play too much under Slot.

His position as an inside-left forward can be used in a 4-3-3, 3-4-2-1, or even in a 3-4-1-2 as we saw in glimpses versus Ipswich.

The latter formation is beginning to take shape in the average positions (above), with Munoz as well as Araujo key.

This is what I think this Liverpool formation under Iraola could look like. In possession on the left, out of possession on the right. https://t.co/iM4G1qvsGw pic.twitter.com/AszsJkkOF2

— James Nalton (@JDNalton) September 5, 2026

This would also provide a way to get Isak and Ekitike into the same lineup once the latter is back from injury.

But importantly, for now, it leaves Isak free to remain at the very tip of the formation, looking to get on the end of things, poach goals, or just score from wherever he feels like, as he did against Ipswich.

What does it mean for Florian Wirtz?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

What of Wirtz? It’s probably got to the point where he needs to show something more regardless of his position or the formation.

The club shouldn’t have spent so much on a player who can play just one very specific role, and he probably isn’t that.

Signs are that he needs a bit more about him generally, and as long as he’s close to his teammates in attack, he should be able to link up well with them.

Again, those average positions show the attackers are relatively close together. One person’s congested space is another’s relationist link-up play.

It goes without saying that Wirtz is a very good footballer. Hopefully Iraola can turn him into a very effective one who influences the results of games.

In Slot’s second season, there were numerous defensive problems that never seemed to get solved, or were even attempted to be fixed.

Iraola looks to be at least trying to do so, and this tweak to the formation could help in both defence and attack.

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