Liverpool went big for $166M Bradley Barcola and looks light of numbers in other areas including the right wing, but Andoni Iraola can pick a very strong starting XI
Bradley Barcola in the Anfield tunnel.
Bradley Barcola in the Anfield tunnel.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The transfer window has closed. Liverpool, and the rest of the Premier League teams, can no longer make moves in the market until January.
A deal for Bradley Barcola was announced on Monday, while Cody Gakpo ended up staying after interest from Manchester City and Tottenham. But how could Liverpool line up when everyone is fit and available? Andoni Iraola has plenty of exciting options — even if his roster lacks a natural right winger.
Alisson Becker will be the main goalkeeper, with Jeremie Frimpong — and Conor Bradley when he returns — the right-back options. Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet appear to be the strongest center-backs, with Milos Kerkez at left-back.
But in midfield, there are major question marks about getting the right balance.
"I just don't believe that midfield can function with the personnel in there," Jamie Carragher said last week.
"I'm not saying that on the back of this game. I've said it all pre-season. It's only one game but for me, it doesn't work. I’ve been seen as being critical of Florian Wirtz maybe last season.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
"This thing that it takes players a year to settle in the Premier League, I think is a bit of a myth. I don't think there's too many examples.
"When I see people say he’s got to be number 10, that means Dominik Szoboszlai has to be in the team in central midfield. He is not a central-midfield player.
"I thought this would come up in six weeks, I think it’s coming up right now. I don’t see where he fits in at all."
That will be the challenge for Iraola. Wirtz will be the number 10, likely with Szoboszlai and one of Alexis Mac Allister or Ryan Gravenberch next to him, and Alexander Isak up top. Barcola, clearly, will be the starter on the left.
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The bigger question is who will fill the right wing void. Victor Munoz impressed against Nottingham Forest, but he is still a little raw. Rio Ngumoha is better on the left, as is Cody Gakpo, but they could do the job at times too.
Gakpo, on the basis of him being the most proven of the possible options, is the likely frontrunner to fill the right wing position for now.
On paper, the Liverpool starting XI looks very strong. It isn't necessarily balanced yet, but the hope will be that Iraola's methods take hold soon and it starts to click.
The biggest potential issue is depth, where there is a real question mark. The likes of Bradley and Hugo Ekitike will return at some point, but any more injuries, especially in a couple of key areas, would be a significant problem.