Liverpool player shares concern about Andoni Iraola’s strategy, even after Ipswich Town win
Liverpool left-back Milos Kerkez believes the team needs to find a balance because they can’t keep up Andoni Iraola’s intense high-pressing style for the entire 90 minutes.
The Reds got their first clean sheet of the season with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday, thanks to Alexander Isak’s two goals at Portman Road. Cody Gakpo set up both goals after Liverpool stopped his move to Manchester City, and Bradley Barcola also shone in his debut following his £123 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcola even set a Premier League record in the 2026/27 season by reaching a top speed of 35.9 km/h during his 31 minutes on the pitch. The 24-year-old showed amazing speed and teamwork down the left side, which really helped Liverpool during a tough match under Iraola’s demanding pressing system.
Iraola is famous for this style from his time at Bournemouth, and it seems the players are still adjusting to it—including Kerkez. The Hungarian defender, who joined Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 under Iraola, was a key player there, bringing energy and drive on the left before moving to Liverpool in 2025.
Kerkez knows how physically tough Iraola’s system is and admits it’s hard to keep pressing like that for a full game. “When you press like we do, it’s tough to keep it up for all 90 minutes,” he told Liverpool’s official website. “We can do it for the first 30 to 35 minutes and sometimes at the start of the second half, but then it’s about staying tight and communicating. That’s something we need to get better at. As defenders, we’re happy with the clean sheet. We defended their crosses and set-pieces well, and everyone was fully focused.”
Liverpool’s defense was stronger against Ipswich, but there were a few moments where the team lost focus. If Ipswich had taken their chances, the game might have been closer. When asked if Iraola’s style is showing on the pitch, Kerkez said: “Yes, definitely. I think everyone feels better playing this way, and I’m getting more involved too. It’s a clean sheet, especially away, which is tough in the Premier League. We’re happy but can’t celebrate too much because games are coming thick and fast.”
After this win, Liverpool face a tight schedule with three games in seven days: a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, then Premier League and Carabao Cup matches against Fulham and Tottenham. Iraola will need his players fit and ready, including Isak, who he praised after Friday’s match.
“If Alex is fit and in good shape, I believe he’ll deliver,” Iraola said. “My focus won’t just be on his goals but other parts of his game. I want him helping the team work well because if we play well together, the goals will come. Everyone needs to pull their weight, and when that happens, everything else falls into place.”
Like everyone on the team, Iraola wants Isak to contribute a lot, including pressing hard and doing the tough work. The Swede worked really hard against Ipswich and will need to keep that energy going to keep impressing his coach.