English media doubt Iraola’s impact at Liverpool again
Engelse media (English media) remain unconvinced that Andoni Iraola has turned Liverpool back into a title contender after the Reds earned a late penalty equaliser against Newcastle United on Sunday. The match sparked immediate comparisons with the side managed by Arne Slot last season, a link quickly drawn by the Liverpool Echo.
Media doubt persists
English newspapers have voiced scepticism, saying they are not yet convinced that Andoni Iraola has restored Liverpool to a title‑challenging shape. The Liverpool Echo noted that Iraola was confronted with a problem that cost Arne Slot dearly, and warned that the analysis is based on a single fixture.
The Reds secured a late penalty equaliser against Newcastle United on Sunday, leaving the game level. De comparison with the Liverpool of Arne Slot was quickly made, prompting immediate parallels with the side managed by Slot last season.
Comparisons with Slot’s Liverpool
The Echo argued that virtually everything that was wrong with Liverpool reflected the shortcomings that plagued them during their disappointing defence of the Premier League title. It highlighted the most disturbing issue as the ease with which their midfield is played out and the vulnerability to counter‑attacks. While Slot’s opposite‑tackling approach cost him his job, Iraola is still at the beginning of his career and has hinted that no further midfield reinforcements will arrive.
The echoed the criticism, describing Liverpool under Iraola as as flawed and unpredictable as under Slot. It suggested that, based on this match, it may still take time before the problems inherited from Slot are resolved. The paper added that Liverpool is temporarily safe, but a sustainable recovery under Iraola could still be some way off.
, however, saw more courage in Iraola than in Slot. It reported that both Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle and Iraola sought to create an organised chaos that could trouble even the best opponents. Despite futile attempts by Newcastle’s Florian Wirtz and Lewis Miley to regain control, the match devolved into pure, mutual chaos that would have made Slot recoil.