SBOTOP : Florian Wirtz Loves Andoni Iraola’s Ideas at Liverpool “I Really Like His Football”

Liverpool may have endured another frustrating pre-season defeat, but Florian Wirtz has found plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the new era at Anfield.

The Reds suffered a 3-2 loss to AS Monaco in a friendly on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The result highlighted a worrying pattern that had already appeared against Leeds United: Liverpool took a 2-0 lead but failed to protect their advantage.

Despite the setbacks, Wirtz has emerged as one of the brightest performers during Liverpool’s pre-season campaign. The Germany international has scored in consecutive matches, finding the net against both Leeds United and Monaco.

More importantly, the 23-year-old midfielder has spoken positively about working under new manager Andoni Iraola. While Liverpool still have plenty to improve before the competitive season begins, Wirtz appears increasingly comfortable with the ideas being introduced by the Spanish coach.

Florian Wirtz Impressed by Iraola’s Football Philosophy

Wirtz already knew about Iraola’s coaching ability before the Spaniard arrived at Liverpool.

The German midfielder had followed Iraola’s work at Bournemouth, where the manager spent three years developing an energetic and distinctive style of football.

For Wirtz, that experience was enough to understand why Liverpool decided to put their trust in the former Bournemouth boss.

“Over the last three years he worked at Bournemouth, you could see what he can do with a team,” Wirtz said, as reported by Sky Sports.

That previous experience appears to have helped Wirtz approach the new Liverpool era with an open mind.

Although Iraola has only been in charge for a short period, Wirtz has already developed a positive impression of the manager’s methods.

The midfielder explained that he has enjoyed the first two weeks of training under the new coaching staff.

“Obviously, we are looking forward to working with him. In the first few weeks, I can only say that I’ve enjoyed it,” Wirtz said.

He added that he likes the football ideas being introduced by Iraola.

“I’ve only trained for two weeks, but I enjoy it and I like his football ideas.”

Liverpool’s Pre-Season Results Remain a Concern

Wirtz’s positive comments come at a time when Liverpool still have some obvious issues to solve.

The defeat against Monaco was particularly frustrating because Liverpool appeared to have the game under control at one stage. The Reds built a 2-0 advantage but eventually allowed Monaco to turn the match around.

A similar situation occurred against Leeds United.

Liverpool once again found themselves two goals ahead before losing their grip on the match. Repeatedly surrendering comfortable leads is something Iraola will want to address before the competitive campaign gets underway.

The main concerns include:

1. Maintaining intensity for the full 90 minutes.
2. Protecting leads when the team is ahead.
3. Improving defensive organisation.
4. Managing transitions more effectively.
5. Maintaining the same level of performance throughout matches.

These problems are not necessarily unusual during pre-season. Players are still adapting to new tactical demands, while the coaching staff is experimenting with different combinations.

However, the repeated nature of the issue means Liverpool cannot afford to ignore it.

Iraola Has Already Identified Liverpool’s Weakness

Following the Monaco defeat, Iraola acknowledged that Liverpool had struggled to maintain the level of football he wanted.

That assessment reflects the main challenge facing the new manager.

Iraola has inherited a squad with considerable quality, but changing a team’s playing style takes time. Players must understand new movements, pressing patterns, defensive responsibilities and attacking structures.

For Liverpool, the transition is even more important because expectations remain extremely high.

The club cannot afford a lengthy adjustment period once competitive matches begin. Every point will matter, and opponents will be ready to exploit any weaknesses.

That is why the remaining pre-season period could prove crucial.

Wirtz Emerging as a Key Player for Liverpool

Amid Liverpool’s inconsistent results, Wirtz has provided a major positive.

The German midfielder has scored in consecutive pre-season matches, demonstrating his attacking quality and ability to influence games from midfield.

His performances could become particularly important under Iraola.

Liverpool need creativity in the final third, especially when opponents defend in compact formations. Wirtz possesses the technical ability to find spaces, combine with teammates and create opportunities around the penalty area.

His ability to adapt quickly to Iraola’s tactical ideas could therefore have a significant impact on Liverpool’s season.

There is also plenty of room for further improvement.

Wirtz has only spent two weeks working under Iraola, meaning the relationship between player and manager is still in its early stages. As training continues, his understanding of the team’s tactical structure should naturally become stronger.

Pre-Season Offers Liverpool Time to Adapt

The defeats against Leeds and Monaco should not be ignored, but Liverpool still have time to make corrections.

Pre-season is ultimately about preparation rather than collecting results. It gives Iraola the opportunity to test tactical ideas, assess his squad and determine which players are best suited to his system.

For Wirtz, this period is also about learning.

The midfielder’s positive assessment of Iraola suggests that the transition inside the Liverpool dressing room is heading in the right direction.

Several areas will remain important during the final stages of preparation:

• Tactical understanding
• Defensive consistency
• Squad depth
• Attacking chemistry
• Physical conditioning
• Game management

If Liverpool can improve those elements, the lessons from their pre-season defeats could become valuable when the competitive campaign begins.

Wirtz Gives Liverpool Fans Reason for Optimism

Liverpool still have work to do before the new season officially begins. Losing two-goal leads in consecutive matches is a clear warning sign, and Iraola must find a solution quickly.

However, there are also reasons for optimism.

Wirtz is adapting well, scoring goals and embracing the manager’s philosophy. His comments suggest that the new Liverpool project has already gained support from one of the club’s most important attacking players.

For Iraola, having a player of Wirtz’s quality fully committed to his ideas could prove invaluable.

The German midfielder’s strong pre-season form also gives Liverpool fans something to look forward to. If he continues developing under Iraola, Wirtz could become one of the central figures in Liverpool’s new tactical identity.

The results may not have been perfect so far, but the process is still underway. With more training time ahead, Liverpool will hope Iraola’s ideas become clearer on the pitch and, most importantly, translate into consistent results when the real competition begins.