How did Iraola fare on his Liverpool managerial debut?

[BBC]

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Premier League history was made before a ball was even kicked this season as a record nine clubs started the campaign with new managers.

Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola got his first taste of action as Liverpool manager after succeeding sacked Arne Slot.

So how did he fare on an eventful first weekend of the 2026-27 campaign?

Iraola was spared the ignominy of defeat in his first Premier League game since succeeding Slot by Dominik Szoboszlai's 99th-minute penalty - but this was a sobering fact-finding mission for the new man in charge at Anfield.

He did not seem unduly concerned, but both of Newcastle United 's goals will have been hauntingly familiar to those who watched Liverpool's title defence collapse under Slot last season.

The Magpies cashed in on Liverpool's wide open midfield, a flaw from the last campaign that saw them so vulnerable to fast counter-attacks.

Anthony Elanga sliced through Liverpool for the first, then six of Iraola's team stood idly by as Yoane Wissa and Joe Willock combined for the second.

Iraola has suggested Liverpool will not strengthen in midfield with a number six-type defensively minded player. This early evidence - not to mention what was seen last season - suggests they should.

If not, the draw at Newcastle was a red flag showing Iraola needs to find an internal solution which is not currently obvious.

It is all very well targeting wide players such as Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh, but what about when teams are running straight through the heart of Liverpool's team?

Iraola must also find a way to make the subdued Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz look like the players Liverpool paid a combined £241m for. Both were poor again at St James' Park.

Read Phil's thoughts on how the rest of the new faces fared here

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