Liverpool: Andoni Iraola's early impact at Anfield assessed ahead of huge Super Sunday showdown with Man City

Andoni Iraola has made an unbeaten start as Liverpool boss – but will he get lift-off at Anfield in the huge clash with Manchester City on Sunday?

The impact of the new Reds boss is assessed in the latest Sky Sports Premier League podcast.

Peter Smith is joined by reporters Vinny O'Connor and Mark McAdam, and writer Dan Morgan to pick over the standout tactical ideas Iraola has brought to Liverpool so far and weigh up the impact of summer signings on the balance of the squad.

They also preview the hotly-anticipated showdown with City, which could prove to be a decisive moment at the start of Iraola's reign…

'Iraola is happy to make big decisions'

Sky Sports News' Vinny O'Connor:

"What I've seen from Andoni Iraola is that he's happy to make big decisions - and it was a big decision to leave out Jeremie Frimpong and bring in Ronald Araujo at right-back and it's worked. Liverpool needed to be more solid; they've done that

"Leaving Ryan Gravenberch out, for instance, as well. Iraola has taken that decision. When he's decided to use the youngsters - Lewis Koumas, playing him up front; when he's brought in Trey Nyoni. It seems he's given the trust to the youngsters and that's a real big plus.

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"It's not all been perfect but we're gradually beginning to see Iraola's influence with the press. Teams aren't able to settle on the ball as much as they would like to against Liverpool, they're not allowing teams as many passes.

"Yes, at times they've still been caught on the break and that's an area for improvement and I think he's still trying to strive for that ideal balance in midfield.

"But with those three clean sheets in the Premier League in the last three games we're seeing a team that defends the box a lot better, and when they've got the ball, they're getting the ball forward quicker and creating chances, which bodes well for the future.

"We're seeing the signs that it's going to get that little bit more exciting and I don't think we're too far away from seeing more regular high octane football under him."

'Atletico Madrid win showed Iraola can beat big hitters'

Sky Sports News' Mark McAdam:

"The key thing is they're unbeaten. When you go into a new football club, don't lose games! But that big win in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid is a massive plus because not only does that show that they can win games but they can do it against the big teams, the big hitters, those sides that are going to challenge them.

"I've been really impressed so far. There's been a transition period and the key thing that Andoni will need - and what he had at Bournemouth - was time. Time on the training pitch, time to work with the players, time to understand the players.

"It certainly feels like he's very conscious that you need to be defensively solid and you need to have more of the ball [at Liverpool].

"But I said in the summer, if I could have a season ticket to follow Liverpool around for the first six months of Andoni Iraola's term I would absolutely do it because when he is at it and at his very best there's no question it will be one of the most exciting brands of football that Liverpool fans have seen for some time.

"I know they'll go 'well, Jurgen Klopp was the manager not that long ago!' But it will hopefully be something that is very similar to that style of football."

Lift-off on Sunday?

Liverpool podcaster and writer Dan Morgan:

"In general, I'd say quietly impressive. He surprised me in the sense that I thought idealistically, in terms of how his Bournemouth teams played, I thought his philosophy was going to be something that he was going to be wedded to unconditionally. You play his way, it's relentless, real high-octane energy stuff.

"But he's done things that I think other Liverpool managers in the past would have done. For example, Rafa Benitez would have maybe seen the need to use a centre-back at right back just to shore up Liverpool's issues defensively, especially around set-pieces. Iraola has done that with Ronaldo Araujo. Similarly, Jurgen Klopp would have looked at someone like Lewis Koumas and said, 'I can do something with this young player, he's sticking around'.

"I think that speaks to him recognising the size of the job. He was aware that he can't go 10 games without a win in his first 10 Liverpool games - that would just bring on too much pressure and too much noise - so he's found a way to quietly get results.

"But from a Liverpool supporter, I think there is still that anticipation of, 'OK, when is the big moment going to arrive?' And there's a big opportunity on Sunday…"

Watch Liverpool vs Man City live on Sky Sports on Sunday from 4pm; kick-off 4.30pm.

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