Andoni Iraola’s first six weeks as Liverpool head coach have produced a record few of his predecessors can match.
He was the first Liverpool manager since Joe Fagan in September 1983 to avoid defeat in his first five league games in charge.
Liverpool appointed Andoni Iraola on a two-year contract in June, succeeding Arne Slot. He arrived from Bournemouth, where he led the club to sixth place and into Europe for the first time in their history.
The run ended on Sunday. Liverpool lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City, with Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki scoring after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the 62nd minute.
It was Iraola’s first Premier League defeat in 24 games.
Andoni Iraola said his side “were the better team until the red card” in the first 62 minutes.
The result leaves Liverpool ninth with nine points from six games, after two wins, three draws and one defeat.
They are one point behind fourth-placed Brentford and nine behind City. A closer look at the attacking numbers shows where the work lies.
Sky Sports data shows Liverpool have created nine big chances in the Premier League this season. That is joint-fewest in the division, level with Aston Villa and Coventry.
Brighton lead the table with 27. Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland have each created 21, while Brentford, Everton and Manchester City have 20.
Bournemouth, Iraola’s former club, have created 17. Arsenal and Manchester United are on 16 each, and Chelsea and Tottenham on 15.
Sky Sports defines a big chance as a situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score. It is usually a one-on-one or a shot from very close range, with a clear path to goal and low to moderate pressure on the shooter. Penalties always count.
Liverpool have scored seven league goals in six games, and Alexander Isak had four of them before the City match. Isak and Cody Gakpo both missed that game through injury.
Sky Sports noted before kick-off that Liverpool’s first five league fixtures had been favourable.
Sky Sports journalist Callum Bishop has examined where the creativity is coming from. He wrote that Iraola’s teams have historically created chances through their wingers, and that Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz filled those roles against City.
Bishop’s analysis focused on Florian Wirtz, who has played 39 Premier League games since joining for £116m.
Wirtz has averaged 0.18 assists, 0.16 goals and 2.2 chances created per 90 minutes in that time, according to Sky Sports. Jamie Carragher has said Wirtz should be dropped.
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