Liverpool's biggest issue ruthlessly exposed at Newcastle. How can Iraola fix it?

Liverpool struggled massively to defend counter attacks last season and they've done absolutely nothing to resolve that huge problem this summer. If anything, the appointment of Andoni Iraola as their new manager has made it an even bigger issue. Their dramatic 2-2 draw at Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the Premier League season ruthlessly exposed the biggest problem Iraola has to solve in the opening months of his Anfield reign. How can Liverpool defend counter attacks better? Or perhaps the better question is: who can help them defend counter attacks better? New signings needed in three key areas It's clear that Liverpool need to move for a new holding midfield in the final days of the transfer window. They may also need a new center back and one or two new full backs too. Iraola's high-pressing tactics take time to work and we shouldn't write him or Liverpool off after one bad defensive display. It took Bournemouth a long time to adapt to his demands a few years ago, and it worked out great in the end. Yes, Liverpool wanted a return to the high-pressing, high-energy football that Jurgen Klopp delivered but his squad was assembled to play that way. This current squad will struggle to play Iraola's way unless there are a host of reinforcements. Soon. That is the reality. Gravenberch needs help Liverpool's main holding midfielder in their squad, Ryan Gravenberch, was overrun in that area and was caught high up the pitch way too often as Iraola demands his team to press relentlessly. Both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szobszolai are attack-minded central midfielders who leave Liverpool wide-open on transitions and won't sit alongside Gravenberch. Full backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are asked to flood forward in support of their attackers and that left veteran Virgil van Dijk and youngster Jeremy Jacquet ruthlessly exposed at center back. That is how Liverpool conceded in each half, and conceded plenty more chances too, and Newcastle gave everyone a blueprint as to how to create big chances against Iraola's Liverpool this season. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks dejected after Joe Willock of Newcastle United (not pictured) scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James’ Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) Getty Images Should there be change in style to limit short-term pain? Iraola won't tweak his style of play. But maybe he should for the next few weeks. At least. He has to find a solution within his current squad or push hard to sign a new holding midfielder in the final week of the transfer window. Playing another true mobile defensive midfielder alongside Gravenberch has to be the plan moving forward. It is the only way Iraola's intense tactics will work. There has been an imbalance about Liverpool for some time and Iraola's preferred style of play has actually made it worse and easier to expose Liverpool's defense. For now. There is no doubting Iraola's quality as a manager but there are plenty of doubts about the way he's set up Liverpool given the squad he currently has to work with.