My Thoughts on Liverpool's Start to the Season

Early positives include a defence that already looks strong and a manager whose media duties impress. Concerns focus on the press, midfield execution and a lethargic attack despite standout finishing.

My quick thoughts on Liverpool's start to the season in the short period so far.

+And it's a big one. Defence:

It's been a huge plus in such a short period of time to find a last line of defence that looks really, really good. Jacquet looks to be a real find. Virj and Araujo look like quality experienced pros around him. Even Kerkez looks OK alongside the three beasts. And then we have Alisson behind. Defence wins games even when the team in front does not play well. This is an outstanding plus to work on.

+Iraola media duties and leadership:

I love his press conferences. Always mentions the minuses I have on my mind while still being positive. Very balanced. Little to no ego. Very Liverpool, dare I say.

+Isak finishing and Gakpo:

I have problems with Isak off the ball I will get to in a while, but his finishing has been superb this season. I think he needs to work a little harder than making himself available, but I think those behind outside of Gakpo have been pretty poor at trying to find him in good positions. He is finishing a high volume of the few chances he is getting and that bodes well if we start firing behind him. Gakpo has been outstanding all season.

- Press:

Big one. We need that press firing. It's Iraola's MO and such a huge source of chance creation. It does take time. We've seen drips and drabs of a press but it's miles off it. You need your front man to be the leader of the press and Isak is not doing a great job of that at the moment. He is very slightly improving. I was more enthusiastic about his press a few games ago. Gone backwards a little bit in that regard. Hopefully it comes again. And it's not just Isak. Whole team needs to improve.

- Midfield:

It's not attacking or defending well. A little plus is Macca is a bit better this year and diving less. Szobo, Wirtz and Grav are not off to the starts I thought they would. When no number six was bought I thought Grav would move towards that role. He looks lost right now. I still think he can play a huge part in balancing our midfield if he commits to DM.

He needs to go all in on defending. Cover holes. Do your turns and get it quickly to the nearest passing/danger men. It may sound like a simplistic role but it can be hugely beneficial to the team. If he doesn't I think Nyoni, who has committed to it, will usurp him even further. Grav can be an athlete and at this time is much stronger than Nyoni. He needs to say to himself "I am a defensive midfielder".

Then learn the role inside out from Iraola. He came on as a 10 against Bournemouth. Never happening. He needs to commit to DM. Wirtz and Szobo. Wonder goals are masking Szoboszlai performances and even as a fan of what he can become Wirtz is massively underwhelming so far. Too many touches. Terrible decision making by both. Not laying it on quickly and decisively. I can see they run with it and see intent in the eyes to play it quickly but their feet ain't moving the ball quickly enough.

I thought they would thrive in the fast pace football but so far they are both really flat. It's not lack of effort, it's lack of mindset and concentration. Wirtz should never be missing five yard passes. NEVER. So just stop doing it. I think they will click and become key players. But right now they are both key minuses. Szoboszlai's absolute worldies are enjoyable though. He even makes penalties worldy shots.

- Attack is not firing.

I blame the midfield quite a bit as I sort of talked through earlier but the attacking play is not firing on all cylinders either. They can move around a little more to provide options. They definitely need get a move on quicker and follow Gakpo's lead. Gakpo gets the ball and he goes. Whether that is to run at someone, pass and run, shoot whatever. He gets the ball and he goes.

Munoz is decent at doing similar. Rio and Barcola (very early days) are not going. Rio second half against Athletico started to go. They get the ball and it seems they look around, they might take a run at someone or they might just pass it off. It's a bit lethargic. GO. It's Iraola now. Go for the jugular over and over and over again until we score three and then relax. And let's find Isak way more because he will score.

Longer than I thought this would be. Overall I'm extremely positive because I cannot believe how good the defence since Jacquet has got up to fitness and Araujo has come in at right back. If the defence and Alisson stay fit they will steal us so many points when we try to figure the rest out and improve in those areas. It might be the best thing to get right first. And a huge platform to build on.

And we'll need to build on it, as outside of defence there is a lot to work on. The good news is I think the plan is the right one for the rest of it; it's just the execution that needs work.

Written by Davey Sulls September 21 2026 22:43:28