The Andoni Iraola Evolution: Four things we’ve learned about Liverpool so far this season

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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 Who is the most underappreciated Liverpool star in the Premier League era, and why? 👀 Andoni Iraola’s high-intensity pressing blueprint is already eliteWhen 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. 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.

It is not translating into goals just yet, but if they keep it up, it surely will.READ MORE: Why Jordan Henderson deserves to be mentioned as one of Liverpool’s most influential players everUnbeaten resilience is replacing volatile chaosWhile 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 pointWith 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. 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 strategyAlthough there have been plenty of positives for Liverpool fans to be hopeful about, it has not all been good news for Iraola so far.