Iraola's Message: Liverpool Must Start Finishing

Jeremie Frimpong says Andoni Iraola’s message since day one has been brutally simple: start finishing.

Liverpool return to Anfield on Saturday lunchtime to face Nottingham Forest, still chewing over the chances they let slip in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United on the opening weekend. Dominik Szoboszlai’s 99th-minute penalty salvaged a point at St. James’ Park, but it also underlined exactly what Iraola has been hammering home.

“Finishing your chances, finishing the actions, because that’s what gets you the result,” Frimpong told Liverpoolfc.com. “You can keep the ball all you want but if you don’t finish then it stays 0-0 or they end up scoring, so [the message has been]: just finish the actions.”

Learning Iraola’s way

That dramatic afternoon on Tyneside was Iraola’s first competitive game in charge, the opening act of a new era that will take time to fully bed in. Frimpong is under no illusions about that.

“It’s normal,” the right-back said. “I think every coach has their own type of system that they want to play and it takes time to adjust and for us to know, and get used to it [to a point] where we’re comfortable with it.

“So, we’re still working on it but I think it’s going the right way.”

The Spaniard’s blueprint is already reshaping Frimpong’s role. Since Iraola walked through the door, the No.30 has been used exclusively at right-back, a shift from last season’s split between right wing and full-back.

“This whole pre-season I played right-back and I’m getting more comfortable there,” he explained. “Last season was a mixture of right wing and right-back, but right now it’s just been right-back. I feel like I’m defending more, I’m recovering more [and] I still attack, of course. But I like it, I’m enjoying it.

“Obviously first of all, [I am enjoying] just being on the pitch because last season [I had] injuries, so just being on the pitch and looking at my teammates and trying to help them out [is good].”

More responsibility without the ball, the same licence with it. It’s a demanding role, but one he clearly relishes.

Anfield return and a familiar challenge

Now comes the first home league test of the campaign, and for Frimpong, the emotion of walking back out at Anfield still hits hard.

“This is home, this is where we’re comfortable at, this is where we are at peace,” he said. “So, it’s going to be a tough game, but we’re happy to be home again with all of our fans… when you’re at home with fans like Liverpool’s, it’s amazing.”

The draw at Newcastle, then, becomes a platform rather than a frustration.

“Obviously we would have liked to win against Newcastle but I don't think it’s a bad result coming from St. James’ Park. But we definitely want to win against Forest for sure. It’s going to be a hard battle but we’ll see what happens.”

Forest will not arrive as strangers. Frimpong has already had an early look at Oliver Glasner’s side – almost by accident.

“I’ve watched Forest. They had a pre-season friendly against [Bayer] Leverkusen and I went over to watch them,” he revealed. “They play good football, they are really good.

“I really like how they play. Obviously they play similar to Crystal Palace last season because of the manager, and obviously we had a difficult time with Crystal Palace last season. So, like I said, it’s going to be a tough game, for sure.”

A new coach, a sharper edge demanded in front of goal, a right-back reinventing himself, and an opponent whose style has already caused problems in the recent past. Anfield will expect on Saturday — the question now is whether Liverpool can turn Iraola’s message into the ruthless finishing he wants.