Liverpool head into Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Villarreal on the back of consecutive victories, as Andoni Iraola prepares to face a familiar face in the opposing dugout.
The Yellow Submarine are now managed by Iraola’s former assistant, Inigo Perez, who took charge of Rayo Vallecano after his former boss left for Bournemouth in 2023.
Perez initially attempted to follow Iraola to the south coast of England but was denied a work permit. He guided Rayo Vallecano to the Conference League final last season before replacing Marcelino at Villarreal in June.
Although Villarreal currently sit mid-table in La Liga, Perez secured their first Champions League victory since 2022 last week with a 3-1 win over Napoli.
Six-time European champions Liverpool have started the league phase with two victories, including a 2-1 triumph over Atlético Madrid at Anfield on matchday 1.
They subsequently thrashed LASK 6-3 and arrive in buoyant spirits after coming from behind to beat Brentford at the weekend. While results have largely impressed during the early stages of Iraola’s reign, Liverpool remain a work in progress.
The Reds have scored 20 goals and conceded 10 across Iraola’s first 10 matches, recording six wins, three draws and one defeat to Manchester City.
According to The Telegraph, Iraola takes a hands-on approach to training, even moving cones himself during the high-intensity rondo drills that precede sessions.
Training is consistently physically demanding, reflecting the energetic style he wants his team to adopt. Liverpool’s formation may officially be listed as a 4-2-3-1, but Iraola’s side do not operate in four rigid tactical lines.
He assigns midfielders specific responsibilities and provides detailed instructions, meaning patience will be required as the players continue adapting to his methods and building consistency in their performances.
Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Man City and six adrift of second-placed Arsenal. There is still work to be done, but Iraola will be targeting another step forward against Villarreal, with a third consecutive Champions League victory strengthening the Reds’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
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