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LIVERPOOL \u2013 Andoni Iraola is still waiting for his first Premier League victory as Liverpool boss, but he saw enough in Saturday\u2019s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest to reinforce his belief that the foundations of his new-look side are beginning \u200cto take shape.<\/strong><\/p>\n The former Bournemouth manager was hired this summer to revive a team bruised by last season\u2019s failed title defence, when Liverpool crashed from champions in 2025 to fifth place despite spending a Premier League record \u00a3446 million on new players.<\/p>\n His remit is to restore Liverpool to the summit of English football and reintroduce the intensity that \u200bonce made Anfield one of Europe\u2019s most daunting venues.<\/p>\n Iraola\u2019s answer is not caution. The Spaniard wants his side to play on the \u200bfront foot, attack at pace and press relentlessly, a style that should resonate with supporters who spent years watching \u2060Juergen Klopp\u2019s \u201cheavy-metal football\u201d before the more measured approach of Arne Slot\u2019s two-year reign.<\/p>\n The transition, however, remains a work in progress. Forest\u2019s opening goal from \u200bDan Ndoye stemmed from a direct counterattack, while long periods of a sluggish first half left Iraola frustrated.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we improved a lot in \u200bthe second half. We were much more intense, much quicker on the ball, with more sense of urgency,\u201d he said. \u201cBut it\u2019s not enough to win the game, and I think we have to blame the first half that we had.\u201d<\/p>\n The improvement after the break was unmistakable. Alexander Isak levelled shortly after the hour mark, before newcomer Victor \u200bMunoz struck the late equaliser.<\/p>\n Six days earlier, the Spaniard had won the crucial late penalty that secured a\u00a02\u20132 draw\u00a0with Newcastle in their opener.<\/p>\n \u201cI \u200bthink Victor has been very good both games,\u201d Iraola said. \u201cEverything hasn\u2019t been perfect, but he\u2019s continued trying all the time and he\u2019s gone again and again and \u200cagain. I \u2060like this a lot from the wingers.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has always been a threat, and also defensively has helped us a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n SLOW STARTERS<\/p>\n The bigger concern for Iraola is Liverpool\u2019s tendency to start slowly, a habit they have carried over from last season. While he was encouraged by the character shown to recover from a losing position for a second consecutive match, he believes the underlying issue lies in their work without the ball.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the first half we \u200bwere being passive without the ball, \u200bleaving a lot of distance and \u2060becoming a little bit comfortable,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen we improved the intensity, we won more duels and started attacking quicker and attacking better. This lack of intensity without the ball has hurt us.\u201d<\/p>\n There is little panic around \u200bAnfield, despite the winless start. Iraola has said the tactical shift would take time, and his insistence on \u200bplaying at a higher \u2060tempo was never likely to be mastered overnight.<\/p>\n Reinforcements are also on the way. Liverpool have finalised an agreement to sign France winger Bradley Barcola from Paris St Germain, according to British media reports, with the 23-year-old\u2019s pace and direct running seen as an ideal fit for Iraola\u2019s high-octane system.<\/p>\n For now, Liverpool remain caught \u2060between promise \u200band progress. The entertainment value is increasing, but the victories have yet to arrive.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s \u200btrue that we\u2019ve come back from two bad results where we were losing,\u201d Iraola said. \u201cBut at the end what makes the difference are the wins and three points.<\/p>\n \u201cI liked what we\u2019ve \u200bdone in the second half, we\u2019ve been able to complete the comeback, but the point leaves you frustrated.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n