Iraola has revealed Liverpool problem that not even transfer market can solve

But there was another comment during the post-match assessment of the new Reds head coach that struck a chord with those who have been observing his players for some time.

"We didn’t defend it properly," said Iraola when contemplating Newcastle's second breakaway goal in the 2-2 draw. “We should compete for the first ball and probably make a foul, be a little bit more aggressive as we had the numbers to defend it."

Devilment, street smarts, cynicism, dark arts, call it what you will. But the need for greater physicality and better game management is an accusation that lingered around Liverpool for much of last season and evidently is showing no signs of abating.

Look, nobody is advocating Liverpool players go around booting opponents. That would serve very little purpose other than increase the risk further of unavailability through suspension of an already stretched squad.

But that the Reds need more aggression and are willing to offer a certain individual sacrifice was made painfully clear with the ease at which Yoane Wissa was allowed to progress before setting up substitute Joe Willock to score.

“Fouling is part of the game," says former Liverpool striker John Aldridge. "It always has been. Manchester City have been doing it for a long, long time since Pep Guardiola first took over, and Arsenal do the same because Mikel Arteta learned that when working under Pep.

“If you have to take the yellow and it stops the other team from possibly scoring, then you have to do it. It may not look great, but it’s the game.

“Liverpool were too naive at Newcastle. A cynical foul would have stopped the second goal for sure. And you can bet other teams will do the same to Liverpool this season."

Not since Fabinho's departure have Liverpool possessed a player, particularly in midfield, who embraced the importance of the occasional tactical foul.

It didn't make much difference as the Reds romped to the title in 2024/25, but the League Cup final bullying they suffered that season when losing to Newcastle was a portent of what was to come as, led by the set-piece predilections of Arsenal, teams began to toughen up and seek more prosaic methods of gaining results.

Liverpool are just too nice too often, that lack of ruthlessness contributing to last season's inability to keep clean sheets and failure to capitalise on goalscoring opportunities, thus contributing to their 20 defeats in all competitions.

They also need to be more alert at sensing danger. After all, any player can make a foul or put in a tackle.

And anyone who saw Iraola's Bournemouth up close would testify that as well as being fast and hard-working, his players were more than willing to put themselves about a bit when it comes to tackles and duels.

They also weren't afraid to play on the very edge of what is acceptable regards such challenges, racking up a whopping 88 yellow cards and two reds in the Premier League last term, a total surpassed only by Chelsea and Tottenham. Just Spurs and Wolves conceded more fouls per game than Bournemouth's 12.

By contrast, Liverpool were next to bottom in last season's disciplinary table, with the Reds finishing with 57 bookings and one red card from their 38 top-flight games. Liverpool were also second last in terms of fouls per game with an average of just 10.1.

In 2024/25, Bournemouth finished behind only Chelsea regards cards, and while they weren't quite so effective in that manner during Iraola's first season in charge in 2023/24, much of that owed to the teething troubles that saw the Basque win only three of this first 14 games as his players took time to adapt to his methods.

The instant demands of success at Liverpool, even if hopefully tempered in the stands by the knowledge this will be a transitional season, mean the new boss won't be permitted such a disappointing start to his Anfield reign.

The big question, of course, is whether the current Liverpool squad are capable of playing the type of football Iraola prefers and the Premier League is now demanding, particularly in midfield.

That will be answered in part during the remaining week of the transfer window with the Reds still looking to do significant business. But when it comes to developing a mean streak, Iraola needs more than just new faces. Liverpool need a new mindset.

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