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Anfield, intensity, rotation - how Iraola is improving Liverpool

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Liverpool are finding rhythm under Andoni Iraola, having won five consecutive games across all competitions since their only defeat of the season against Manchester City on 11 October, according to BBC Sport. They will face Arsenal at Anfield, where the atmosphere has become electric again.

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Andoni Iraola
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Kickjolly · AI-written · automatically reviewed · BBC Sport ↗

Liverpool are finding rhythm under Andoni Iraola, having won five consecutive games across all competitions since their only defeat of the season against Manchester City on 11 October, according to BBC Sport. They will face Arsenal at Anfield, where the atmosphere has become electric again. Iraola has been rotating the team, making three or more starting XI changes in nine consecutive games.

Iraola believes the atmosphere at Anfield is special and is a big advantage over other teams. He has been trusting youngsters like Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas, and James McConnell. Liverpool's style under Iraola involves high pressure and more direct play, averaging 24.9 long balls per Premier League game this season.

Captain Virgil van Dijk described the change under Iraola as an increase in 'intensity', with a risk-reward approach to high pressing. Iraola wants his team to produce better chances, stating that whoever controls the game is whoever controls the chances. He believes there is more to come from his team's approach and that 'there has to be another level'.

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Arsenal, Liverpool

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You have go back to 2012 for the last time Arsenal won a game at Anfield. In recent years - whenever this fixture comes around - it is well documented that a certain Mikel Arteta was playing for the Gunners on that day. Arteta is now a Premier League-winning manager and leading reigning champions who will arrive at Anfield on Sunday (16:30 GMT) hoping to end that streak. But they will come up against a Liverpool side that are starting to find some rhythm under Andoni Iraola and will have backing from a re-energised Anfield crowd.

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