Andoni Iraola faces major Liverpool issue as high-intensity tactics raise late-game concerns

Andoni Iraola is preparing for his first Premier League season as Liverpool manager, but one of the biggest problems from Arne Slot's final campaign could provide an immediate test of his demanding tactical approach.

Liverpool developed an unwanted habit of conceding decisive goals late in matches last season.

Five of their Premier League defeats were decided in or after the 90th minute, reportedly the most such losses suffered by a team in a single Premier League campaign.

Iraola has now introduced a much more aggressive approach at Anfield, but the physical demands of his system could make Liverpool's ability to manage the closing stages of matches an important early storyline.

Milos Kerkez knows Iraola's methods particularly well after previously playing under the Spaniard at Bournemouth.

The Liverpool left-back has explained that the change in playing style has been significant.

"I mean, it's a big difference, obviously," Kerkez said after Liverpool's 2-0 friendly victory over Como.

"We play really aggressive. We need to run a lot more."

Kerkez believes those demands are necessary if Liverpool want to compete at the highest level in the Premier League and Champions League.

Iraola's system has also given the 22-year-old greater attacking freedom, allowing him to regularly push forward and provide deliveries into the penalty area.

However, that freedom comes with an obvious physical cost.

Even Kerkez, who already has experience of playing under Iraola, admitted he felt the effects during Liverpool's latest pre-season outing.

The Como victory was his first 90-minute appearance of the summer.

"Today is the first time playing 90 minutes," he explained.

"I felt a bit in the legs at, I would say 70, 70-something [minutes], but it's good to get the whole 90 minutes today."

That admission could be significant given Liverpool's struggles towards the end of matches last season.

Iraola wants his team to press aggressively, play on the front foot and maintain a high physical output.

Ensuring they can sustain those demands throughout an entire match could therefore be crucial.

There have already been warning signs during Liverpool's preparations.

The Reds led Monaco 2-0 at Anfield before eventually losing 3-2, with Paris Brunner scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute.

There was a similar collapse against Leeds United in Chicago.

Liverpool were 2-0 ahead after an hour but conceded three times in 13 minutes before Dominic Calvert-Lewin added another late goal in a 4-2 defeat.

Pre-season results should not be overanalysed, particularly when fitness work and tactical adjustments remain ongoing.

However, Liverpool's inability to maintain their level during the latter stages of those matches will be something Iraola wants to address quickly.

The challenge for Iraola is finding the balance between implementing his preferred high-intensity football and ensuring Liverpool have enough energy to control matches late on.

The hope is that improved fitness and greater familiarity with his system will naturally solve some of those problems as the season develops.

But Liverpool's opening Premier League fixture will immediately provide a demanding examination.

A trip to Newcastle United awaits on Sunday, giving Iraola an early opportunity to demonstrate whether Liverpool can maintain their aggressive approach for the entire 90 minutes.

Liverpool now turn their attention to Sunday's Premier League opener away at Newcastle United.

The fixture should provide the first competitive indication of how quickly Iraola's methods have taken hold and, crucially, whether Liverpool can maintain their aggressive pressing throughout an entire match.

Fitness levels should continue improving as the season progresses, but after last year's problems and some concerning pre-season collapses, Liverpool's performances in the closing stages will be worth watching closely.