Andoni Iraola has defended Liverpool's midfield setup after concerns were raised following the Reds' 2-2 draw against Newcastle
Andoni Iraola manager of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match against Newcastle
Andoni Iraola has spoken after Liverpool's 2-2 draw against Newcastle United(Image: Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images))
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola disagrees with Jamie Carragher's view that the current makeup of the midfield cannot work.
The Reds fought back to clinch a last-gasp 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United in their opening Premier League fixture on Sunday afternoon. Liverpool twice fell behind to goals scored on the counterattack, with Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock both finding the net for the hosts.
For Liverpool, Cody Gakpo scored the first equalizer from just outside the box, while Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty deep in stoppage time to ensure the Reds walked away with at least a point. There were plenty of concerns for Iraola to ponder, including the lack of depth in attacking areas, but former defender Carragher was more concerned with the ease with which Newcastle played through the midfield.
Shortly after conceding the first, Carragher highlighted that the midfield players bombing forward causes issues. After the second goal, he followed up with another social media post, adding: "Again! This midfield cannot work, I said it before a competitive ball was kicked."
With a little over a week left to go in the transfer window, there is plenty of work still to do for Liverpool. The focus appears to be on reinforcing in wide attacking areas, amid links with the likes of Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh, but many fans feel midfield should be viewed as just as much of a priority.
That is not a sentiment shared by the head coach, however, as he claimed in his post-match press conference that signing a midfielder will not fix the team's issues. Instead, adapting to his style of play, which will take time, will be the answer in the long term.
"It’s not just personnel," Iraola explained. "I understand that Ryan Gravenberch is basically the number six and is on the edge of the box, and if he shoots and scores then we are saying what a play from Gravenberch.
Andoni Iraola manager / head coach of Liverpool applauds the fans at full time following the Premier League match against Newcastle
Liverpool fought back to secure a 2-2 draw against Newcastle in their opening Premier League match(Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"I don’t want us to take that from his game but we have to adapt as a team to these situations, we have to know these situations can happen. The second goal we did better in terms of having the numbers to defend, but we don’t make a foul or go to the first challenge.
"It’s not just because one person is playing there. It’s something we have to correct between a lot of players."
The transfer window closes on September 1, but Liverpool is yet to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah's departure at the end of last season. Victor Munoz has been signed from Osasuna, and he looked promising on his Premier League debut against Newcastle, but the lack of depth is glaring.
Liverpool has bolstered its defense with the loan signing of Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, but the Uruguayan's arrival hasn't exactly solved the issues at fullback. While the club has no choice but to have a busy end to the window, just how much it gets done in these final days remains to be seen.