Andoni Iraola has 3 Liverpool problems to fix after Leeds loss including familiar Arne Slot issue

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Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola will have several issues to fix heading into the new season, as he considers what will and won't work for the team moving forward.Andoni Iraola has several issues to fix at Liverpool over preseason(Image: (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images))Liverpool is far from the finished product on the pitch right now, as Andoni Iraola is trying to implement his own style of play while dealing with several factors disrupting his preparation time with the players.The past two weeks have provided the head coach with a chance to understand the options at his disposal, getting a close look at those who may or may not end up being part of the team in the future.The US preseason tour has come with its challenges, most notably the lack of senior stars available as a large cohort of players return in phases from their post-World Cup break.From that have come some positives and negatives, with two wins in the opening games bringing about some hope, before a frustrating defeat to Leeds in the third and final match.It has shown there is still work for Iraola to do. So, with that said, here's a look at three things the Liverpool manager needs to fix after the match.Defensive issuesLiverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)Soccer is a pretty simple game in that if you concede fewer goals and score more, you're guaranteed to get better, so it seems a bit obvious to say that Liverpool needs to get better in defence.But the simple fact is that the Reds looked far too open last season, and if the Leeds game is anything to go by, then there is a chance that it could happen again.It needs to be caveated by the fact that Iraola hasn't truly had a senior centre-back at his disposal through preseason so far, with the return of Virgil van Dijk and the introduction of Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni likely to help ease any concerns with the backline.That said, the tour has been a glimpse into what the backline depth looks like, should the Reds suffer some unfortunate injury issues, though Iraola can hardly control the business his higher-ups do in the remaining month of the market.Instead, he will need to find ways to coach the team to be tighter in defence with the options that are available to him, unless Liverpool somehow click in attack to start outscoring teams.Midfield balanceDominik Szoboszlai has been discussing his position at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images))Liverpool's midfield didn't quite work last season, with a lack of energy and intensity matching with some missing quality at key moments.With Iraola's style relying on that energy in the press, it's important that the manager gets the midfield balance right, and the clash with Leeds proved as much.The manager opted for a double pivot of Dominik Szoboszlai and Trey Nyoni in the first half, and the duo showed all of the attributes needed to succeed in the system moving forward.However, with the introduction of Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones, the team struggled to control the game in and out of possession in the same way.

In all fairness to the former, that was his first 45 minutes on return from the World Cup, but there are question marks over his place in the team moving forward.With Alexis Mac Allister set to return next week, it remains to be seen what type of balance Iraola will go for in midfield, but he needs to get it right to get the most out of his team.Set-piece concernCHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 02: Giorgi Mamardashvili #25 of Liverpool FC punches the ball as Sebastiaan Bornauw #33 of Leeds United attempts a header during the second half at Soldier Field on August 02, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)Set-pieces were a word that would send a chill down the spine of Arne Slot, as Liverpool fell foul to conceding too many of them over the previous campaign.The Reds conceded 20 goals from set-pieces last season in the Premier League, more than any other team, and it proved costly as the manager went on to lose his job - albeit for much more than just defending corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins, but it certainly won't have helped his cause.Having conceded from two long throw-ins against Leeds, the issue with defending those moments has been brought up again, as Dominik Szoboszlai discussed the challenges facing Liverpool's defence.While a return for Virgil van Dijk and the introduction of Jeremy Jacquet could solve some of those issues, the failure of the previous season shows it's much deeper than just having some academy stars in the backline.If Liverpool cannot get the set-piece details right, then the team could be throwing away some easy goals at both ends.