Liverpool: Should fans be worried about Andoni Iraola's fitness comments?
bbc.com • • sports
Key Points:
- Liverpool, under new manager Andoni Iraola, lost their second consecutive friendly after squandering a two-goal lead, falling 3-2 to Monaco at Anfield following a 4-2 defeat to Leeds.
- Iraola acknowledged the team showed promise in the early stages of games with good intensity and direct play but admitted the squad lacks the fitness and consistency to maintain that level throughout matches.
- Several players are still regaining full fitness post-World Cup, and new signings like Ronald Araujo are close to joining, while injuries continue to affect squad depth.
- The coaching staff, including fitness coach Pablo de la Torre, is emphasizing high-intensity pressing and quick transitions, reflecting Iraola’s style from his Bournemouth tenure, though it will take time to fully implement.
- Despite early struggles and necessary squad adjustments, Iraola remains focused on rapid improvement, warning that immediate perfection is unrealistic but expressing confidence in eventual progress.
