Liverpool's high-line gamble and Milan's youth reset under new management

Iraola’s press arrives in Merseyside via Chicago

Pre-season open sessions are usually PR exercises designed to showcase pristine squad harmony and new kit drops. Yet in Chicago, Andoni Iraola’s early Liverpool sessions offered a immediate glimpse into the tactical friction awaiting the Premier League. The Spaniard is bringing his hallmark hyper-aggressive pressing scheme to Anfield, replacing the hybrid possession structures of recent campaigns with high-tempo, disruptive transitions.

During early drills, Iraola pushed the defensive line within touching distance of the center circle, demanding immediate regain triggers the second possession flipped. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai were put front and center, working through high-intensity shuttle drills after their well-publicized training ground exchange. Showing off a public display of unity for the cameras, both midfielders operated as the twin engines of Iraola's central trap.

The tactical concern isn't the work rate—it is space management. Deploying a line this high with Liverpool's current central defensive personnel leaves vast expanses of green behind the back four. Against teams capable of playing over the initial wave, Liverpool risked getting caught in transition during small-sided matches. Iraola's system demands near-perfect synchronization, and any lag in the mid-block press leaves the channels completely exposed.

Amorim tears down Milan’s old hierarchy

Over in Serie A, Rúben Amorim’s arrival at AC Milan has triggered an immediate tactical and structural reset. The Portuguese manager has stripped back the squad's bloated veteran structure, demanding higher physical output and tactical flexibility. Early sessions at Milanello have revolved around rapid ball circulation and intense spatial awareness in tight build-up zones.

Rather than relying on established starters, Amorim has immediately integrated youth prospects into main squad sessions. Guernier, Vos, and Borsani all received extended minutes during tactical shape work, operating directly within Amorim's signature three-at-the-back rotation. Vos, in particular, was tested in a dual-pivot role designed to break line-pressing traps through quick, vertical passing.

However, Milan’s transition to Amorim’s methods has not been seamless. The physical demands of his double-session regime caused obvious fatigue during late-session tactical walkthroughs, leading to heavy touches and broken defensive shapes. Adapting traditional Italian positional disciplines to Amorim's fluid, high-energy movement will take time, and Milan look vulnerable when forced to defend deep in their own box for extended stretches.

The cost of tactical acceleration

Both Liverpool and Milan are attempting to compress a full structural overhaul into a matter of weeks. For Iraola, success hinges on whether his squad can sustain unyielding physical pressure without suffering late-game defensive collapses. For Amorim, the challenge lies in balancing immediate tactical discipline with the integration of raw, untested academy prospects.

Pre-season intensity creates impressive training footage, but match execution under real pressure is entirely different. Iraola's high line and Amorim's fluid back-three leave zero margin for error. If the midfield triggers fail by even half a second, both managers will find their aggressive blueprints exploited early when competitive fixtures begin.