Louis Koumas delivered his first-ever Man of the Match performance, and he fully deserved it. His pressing, energy and intelligent movement stood out, with his off-the-ball work becoming an increasingly important part of his game.
Koumas could even offer Iraola another option higher up the pitch, particularly in a system that demands relentless pressing. Alongside players such as Wirtz and Szoboszlai, Liverpool have several profiles capable of leading the press in different ways.
But Koumas is only part of a bigger picture.
Iraola is clearly showing faith in Liverpool’s younger players. Trey Nyoni, James McConnell and Rio Ngumoha are all beginning to show promise, while Frimpong and Wirtz remain young enough to have significant room for development. Even Jeremy Jacquet, despite his age, is already showing remarkable composure and authority.
There are still areas of the squad that need addressing, including left-back, defensive midfield and the right wing. But Liverpool have already begun lowering the squad's average age while developing the next generation.
The pressing philosophy is also starting to emerge. Against Tottenham, Liverpool forced errors through their pressure and looked capable of winning the ball higher up the pitch. There are still defensive vulnerabilities when opponents find space between the lines, but the foundations are being laid.
Joe Gomez is another example of why the current squad shouldn't be written off. Injuries have limited his consistency, but when available, his versatility, experience and leadership remain valuable.
Liverpool may not have the finished squad yet. But with Iraola developing the younger players and gradually shaping the team around his pressing ideas, there are signs of a much younger and more dynamic Liverpool taking shape.