How Iraola’s demands are changing the mood at AXA

Liverpool’s pre-season under Arne Slot leaned toward a lighter, more measured approach to training. Under Andoni Iraola, that has changed quickly and visibly. Early signs from inside the squad point to sharper, more demanding sessions built around effort rather than careful load management, and there is little mystery about what the new head coach wants to see.

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Kerkez already knows what is coming

For Milos Kerkez, none of this comes as a surprise. He spent two seasons working under Iraola at Bournemouth and has simply watched the same methods land at Anfield. Ahead of Liverpool’s trip to face his old club, Kerkez said the dressing room has responded well to the shift, with the squad buying into a harder standard being set from day one. Iraola’s Bournemouth sides were built on relentless pressing and running in behind, and replicating those physical demands in training is clearly the first step toward getting Liverpool’s squad fit enough to play that way regularly. It also sends a signal to the wider dressing room that reputation alone will not be enough to hold down a starting place this season.

Why the shift matters

Liverpool’s form dropped off badly enough last season that a change in daily habits looks overdue. The gap between the effort produced on the training pitch and the level required in matches had become obvious, and results reflected it by the end of the campaign. Higher intensity sessions will not fix every problem on their own, but they at least bring preparation back in line with ambition.

Our take

What stands out is how quickly the squad appears to have adjusted. Kerkez’s comments suggest Iraola did not ease the group in gently, he set the tone immediately and is letting improved performances make the case for him. Liverpool are still finding their identity under a new head coach, and results will not turn around overnight, but a squad willing to buy into tougher standards this early gives itself a far better chance of turning a difficult transition into real progress.