Liverpool may have maintained their perfect start to pre-season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Wrexham, but head coach Andoni Iraola insists the Reds are still some distance away from producing the style of football he wants to see.
The win at New York’s Yankee Stadium marked Liverpool’s second successive triumph of the summer after defeating Sunderland earlier in the United States tour.
However, rather than focusing solely on the result, Iraola highlighted the team’s gradual tactical development and admitted his players are still learning the demands of his system.
For the Spaniard, pre-season is about building habits, improving cohesion and preparing the squad for the long campaign ahead—not simply collecting victories.
Although Liverpool scored fewer goals than they managed against Sunderland, Iraola believes the display against Wrexham represented a more complete team performance.
The Reds looked more organised defensively, controlled larger spells of possession and showed greater discipline without the ball, even if attacking opportunities were more limited on a compact playing surface.
Reflecting on the contest after the final whistle, the Liverpool boss praised his side’s overall structure.
“I think overall we were more solid than the other day,” said Iraola.
“It was a different kind of game. The pitch is quite narrow and there are not a lot of spaces. But, I think we had good spells. And even if the other day we scored more goals and it looked nicer, I think today we were more a team and more collective.”
The comments underline Iraola’s emphasis on teamwork over individual brilliance as he begins reshaping Liverpool’s playing identity.
Despite another positive result, the former Bournemouth manager made it clear that his vision has not yet been fully reflected on the pitch.
He acknowledged there have been encouraging moments but believes the team still reacts too slowly in key situations.
“I think we’re still not there [showing his identity]. We sometimes arrive too late, but I think it’s a step forward, since especially the first half against Sunderland.”
The manager pointed to improvements from Liverpool’s opening pre-season fixture while stressing that consistent progress remains the objective.
“That is more of a reference than the second half. Slowly, I hope every game we are closer and closer.”
Those remarks offer an honest assessment of where Liverpool currently stand as they adapt to new tactical instructions.
One factor influencing Liverpool’s performances is the absence of several experienced first-team stars.
Iraola has relied heavily on academy graduates and younger squad members during the opening stages of pre-season, providing valuable opportunities while carefully managing the workload of senior internationals.
The Liverpool boss believes the return of more established players will naturally accelerate the team’s development.
“We start to add new bodies, because now we are playing with a lot of the young players.”
He added: “We have to add the senior players that are starting to train with us, so we can arrive to the beginning of the season in a good place.”
With experienced names gradually rejoining the squad over the coming days, Liverpool are expected to become increasingly competitive as pre-season progresses.
While experienced players prepare to return, Liverpool’s younger talents have continued to seize their opportunities.
Rio Ngumoha’s winning goal against Wrexham provided another reminder of the quality emerging from the club’s academy, while several other youngsters have earned valuable minutes throughout the American tour.
Their performances have given Iraola useful options while also creating healthy competition within the squad.
The manager’s willingness to trust youth has become one of the defining features of Liverpool’s pre-season preparations.
Liverpool now shift their attention to the next stage of their United States tour, where stronger opposition and the gradual return of senior players will provide a clearer indication of the team’s progress.
Although the results have been encouraging, Iraola remains focused on the bigger picture.
His priority is ensuring Liverpool enter the new Premier League campaign with a clear tactical identity, improved fitness levels and a squad fully aligned with his football philosophy.
Two wins from two provide confidence, but the Liverpool manager has made one thing abundantly clear: the real work is only just beginning.
Under Iraola, success will not simply be measured by victories in July—it will be defined by how closely Liverpool can translate his ideas into consistent performances when the competitive season begins.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
