Liverpool’s new manager Andoni Iraola faces a midfield balance challenge after a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on 23 August 2026. The match exposed vulnerabilities that Iraola aims to correct by repositioning Ryan Gravenberch and integrating Alexis Mac Allister.
Midfield Exposure in the Draw
Liverpool’s 2-2 result against Newcastle highlighted a recurring issue: the midfield often collapses into a vertical line when possession is lost, leaving the backline exposed to counter-attacks. In the opening stages, Anthony Elanga’s early goal came after a quick turnover that saw Gravenberch’s trademark move past Lewis Miley fail to produce a clean pass, allowing Newcastle’s William Osula to slot in from the edge of the box. A second goal followed a similar pattern, with Gravenberch’s attempted back-heel to Alexander Isak turning into a pass that slipped to Yoane Wissa, who then set up Joe Willock’s curling finish.
Tactical Adjustments by Iraola
Iraola’s first game in charge saw him experiment with a deeper midfield shape, pushing Gravenberch higher into his traditional No. 8 role and slotting Alexis Mac Allister into a holding position. This was a reversal of Arne Slot’s previous approach, which had sometimes withdrawn a centre-back to give Gravenberch more ball in midfield. The new arrangement aimed to keep the midfield more compact and reduce the space that Newcastle exploited.
During the match, Iraola also instructed the centre-backs, notably Virgil van Dijk, to push up and maintain a tighter shape. He noted that the defenders had remained too deep, allowing Newcastle’s forwards to find pockets of space. By encouraging the backline to stay closer to the midfield, Iraola hopes to cut off the counter-attack routes that proved fatal.
Iraola’s Comments on the Solution
After the game, Iraola dismissed the idea that a specialist holding midfielder would solve the problem. "It’s not just personnel," he said. "Ryan Gravenberch is basically the No. 6 and is on the edge of the box. We need to adapt as a team to these situations."
He added that the team must be more aggressive in winning the first ball and willing to commit fouls to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm. Iraola also acknowledged that the second goal was defended better in terms of numbers, suggesting that the issue was more about positioning than lack of players.
Next Fixture
Liverpool’s next match is a home fixture against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, the same day they lost 3-0 last season. With Forest’s squad having changed managers twice since that defeat, Iraola will need to ensure the midfield is less vulnerable to counter-attacks through the middle.
The club’s focus will be on tightening the midfield structure, improving ball distribution from Gravenberch, and ensuring the defenders maintain a compact shape to prevent Newcastle-style counter-attacks in future games.
