Today’s pre-season double header against Como provides a real insight into the Spaniard’s thinking.
Liverpool round off their preparations for the new Premier League season with a unique pre-season double header against Como on Sunday as Andoni Iraola continues to adjust to life as the club’s newest head coach.
The Reds are facing the Italian side twice on the same day, with the first encounter taking place behind closed doors at the AXA Training Centre at 11:30am before the two teams meet again at Anfield in a 6pm kick-off.
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With the second fixture expected to feature a stronger Liverpool side and a greater number of first-team regulars, the line-ups for the earlier kick-off has already provided an interesting insight into Iraola’s thinking ahead of the opening weekend.
One of the notable names involved in the behind-closed-doors fixture is Trey Nyoni, with the highly-rated midfielder named in the starting XI for the first of the two meetings with Como.
Nyoni has enjoyed an encouraging pre-season and has continued to catch the eye during Liverpool’s preparations, with his performances strengthening his claims for involvement when the Premier League campaign gets underway.
However, his selection for the earlier fixture could potentially indicate that he is unlikely to start Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United next weekend.
That would represent an interesting development for the youngster, particularly given the impressive impression he has made throughout pre-season.
Liverpool will face Newcastle United at St James’ Park next Sunday and the decision to play Nyoni in the behind-closed-doors fixture hints that the player’s involvement in Liverpool’s Premier League opener could be limited or potentially absent altogether.
Ryan Gravenberch appears the more likely option to occupy the midfield position when Liverpool begin their league campaign, particularly with the Dutchman expected to feature in the stronger side against Como later today.
The double header therefore represents more than simply Liverpool’s final pre-season test, with Iraola using the two fixtures to give his squad valuable minutes while also fine-tuning his starting XI.
For Nyoni, meanwhile, the next step will be to continue pushing for a place among the first-team regulars.
His performances have certainly given Iraola plenty to consider, but Sunday’s team selections may suggest that the teenager still has work to do before becoming a regular starter for Liverpool.