Is Liverpool’s Midfield Good Enough To Play Andoni Iraola’s Game?

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James’s Park in Newcastle, on August 23, 2026. (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

NurPhoto via Getty Images

By scoring with the final kick of the ball, Dominik Szoboszlai salvaged a respectable 2-2 draw for Liverpool away to Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season. Whether or not the visitors to St James’ Park deserved anything from the match was another matter.

Liverpool was vulnerable against the Magpies. In Andoni Iraola’s competitive debut as Reds manager, his team was defensively weak for both goals it conceded, allowing Newcastle to surge forward on the counter-attack and find the back of the net. The hosts felt aggrieved that their effort wasn’t rewarded with all three points.

Some have focused on the frailties in Liverpool’s defence. Perhaps more pertinent, however, is the imbalance in central midfield where Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai struggled to control the game, in and out of possession. This is where Iraola is facing questions. Is Liverpool’s midfield good enough to play the way Iraola wants his team to play?

“We have to adapt as a team to these situations and we have to know that these situations can happen,” said the new Liverpool manager. “I think the second goal, we probably did better in terms of having the numbers to defend – we don’t make the foul, or go to the first challenge or probably reduce the distance with the ball carrier, so it’s an incredible goal. Situations [are] just not because one person is playing there, [it] is something that we have to correct between a lot of players.”

Iraola has a lot to untangle as Liverpool manager. He has inherited an extremely talented squad, but the individual pieces don’t fit together so easily, as Arne Slot discovered last season. This is most obvious in the centre of the pitch where Liverpool have recently lacked creativity and physicality.

This weekend’s home match against Nottingham Forest will be another test of Liverpool’s ability to control games. Oliver Glasner will set up his side to play on the break, much like Newcastle did on the opening weekend. Liverpool could encounter many of the same problems that were evident in the 2-2 draw at St James’ Park.

The summer transfer window is still open and so Liverpool could enter the market for a new midfielder. Many supporters believe Iraola needs a natural number six to deploy at the base of his midfield. If Liverpool fails to find that figure, it could be a long and difficult season for the Anfield team.