Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The beginning of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign has ushered in a fascinating new era at Anfield.
Following the surprise summer departure of Arne Slot after a dismal campaign, Andoni Iraola has overseen a quiet but highly effective tactical transition. Five games into the new term, Liverpool sit 6th in the Premier League table with nine points. Though they would have expected more than two wins from their opening fixtures, Iraola’s team remain one of the few left unbeaten so far.
As the squad endures the autumn international break before a highly anticipated clash against league-leaders, and certified rule-breakers, Manchester City on October 11, Rousing The Kop have taken a look back at five key things we have learned about Liverpool so far this season
Andoni Iraola’s high-intensity pressing blueprint is already elite
When Iraola was named as Slot’s successor June, pundits and fans wondered how quickly the squad would adapt to his signature, aggressive style of play. The Basque has a very defined tactical idea, and having lost their way under the previous regime, there was concern that it could take time to implement within the Liverpool squad.
While that has proven to be the case in some respects – nothing is perfect just yet – there are signs that things are beginning to come together. According to Opta, Liverpool have already established themselves as one of the Premier League’s best teams for high-pressing inside the opponent’s half.
This is measured in PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action), which calculates how many passes a team makes in the defensive phase before giving the ball away. Liverpool’s opponents have an average PPDA of 9.1, which is the third lowest in the division, behind Brighton and Tottenham.
This shows that the Reds are carrying out Iraola’s wishes to press and suffocate their opponent as high up the pitch as possible. It is not translating into goals just yet, but if they keep it up, it surely will.
How Kevin Schade has performed in the Premier League amid Liverpool transfer links
How Kevin Schade has performed in the Premier League amid Liverpool transfer links
Jamie Carragher explains difference between FSG and Man City's Abu Dhabi owners amid charges
Jamie Carragher explains difference between FSG and Man City's Abu Dhabi owners amid charges
READ MORE: Why Jordan Henderson deserves to be mentioned as one of Liverpool’s most influential players ever
Unbeaten resilience is replacing volatile chaos
While other top-four hopefuls such as Manchester United and Chelsea have succumbed to erratic, high-scoring collapses, Iraola has prioritised greater defensive security since joining Liverpool, which may have been a surprise to those expecting non-stop, end-to-end matches.
The 44-year-old is not especially known for his team’s well-drilled defences, but Liverpool have certainly been much more solid at the back during their opening stretch of matches.
A pair of 2-2 draws to open the season may have suggested that chaos would be coming, but the Reds have not conceded a Premier League goal since. Three consecutive clean sheets have indicated that Iraola is finding the right balance in defence, with the transformation in attack taking an early backseat.
With opponents finding goals against Liverpool harder to come by, Iraola has given himself and his team a real platform to build on.
Alexander Isak has converted into a clinical focal point
With Liverpool still adjusting to the new demands in their attacking third, Alexander Isak has finally – and emphatically – claimed his spot as the team’s talisman.
There had been a question mark over who would claim the superstar mantle after Mohamed Salah’s exit over the summer, with Liverpool badly needing big signings like Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola to step up.
While Wirtz is still struggling to make an impact and Barcola has had a slow start with the Reds, though, Isak has finally started to come good. Now getting more touches on the ball and becoming more involved in build-up play, the Swede has hit four goals in five Premier League appearances.
Fans will still rightly demand more from Isak, and there have been times when he has not been as involved as Liverpool would want. But as he showed with a clinical finish to win the game last time out at Bournemouth, that does not matter if he finds the net when given his chance. So far, he has been doing that, and though there is now worry over his fitness, that is a brilliant sign for Iraola.
Full-Back and midfield concerns are forcing a January transfer strategy
Although there have been plenty of positives for Liverpool fans to be hopeful about, it has not all been good news for Iraola so far.
The two biggest concerns have been at full-back and in midfield, where the Reds failed to fully address concerns during the summer transfer window.
Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have been poor at right and left-back respectively, and though Ronald Araujo has provided a temporary solution on the right, Iraola will know this needs looking at again in January.
The midfield has also caused early worry for Liverpool fans, with Ryan Gravenberch badly out of form and Dominik Szoboszlai not looking completely comfortable in a midfield two. Florian Wirtz’s presence continues to cause plenty of hand-wringing as well, and it could be that the Reds look to a more steely midfielder such as Lamine Camara to shoulder more defensive burden in January.
Photo by Jürgen Fromme - firo sportphoto/Getty Images
Photo by Jürgen Fromme - firo sportphoto/Getty Images
Kevin Schade
Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images