Liverpool are next up against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup with Andoni Iraola facing some selection posers
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola(Image: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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Another day, another hugely disappointing Anfield outing. Liverpool once again failed to make the most of home advantage when they played out an abysmal goalless draw with struggling Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Andoni Iraola, though, remains unbeaten despite his team having now dropped points in three of their first four Premier League games. Attention will now be trained on the Carabao Cup with Liverpool welcoming Tottenham Hotspur in a third round clash on Tuesday evening.
And here we look ahead to the changes the Reds head coach could make when his team are next in action.
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Gomez question
Iraola opted not for huge rotation in this competition during his time in charge at Bournemouth, and it will be interesting to see how the Reds head coach approaches the game given it is Liverpool's third match inside seven days.
With Alisson Becker having only ever featured twice in the League Cup in eight years at Liverpool - both of which were at the semi-final stage - it seems unlikely the Brazilian will start in goal. Giorgi Mamardashvili is next in line, although Freddie Woodman featured for one game in the competition last season.
And changes are likely to extend to the rearguard. Much could depend on the availability of Joe Gomez, who hasn't featured for six weeks but was back in training last week and could step in at either right-back or centre-back.
Jeremy Jacquet was struggling during the closing stages against Fulham and seems set to be rested, with Ronald Araujo an option at centre-back having started the last two games at right-back.
Virgil van Dijk could be asked to continue, but is another who would usually expect to be given a breather. If Gomez isn't ready, that could mean Luke Chambers coming in having featured during pre-season. Giovanni Leoni remains sidelined.
Chambers is also an option at left-back with Kostas Tsimikas having not impressed when starting ahead of by Milos Kerkez at the weekend. At right-back, with Araujo perhaps needed elsewhere Jeremie Frimpong is favourite to be recalled.
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Central exchange?
The midfield has once again been an issue for Liverpool this season, with the deep-lying partnership of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch failing to impress on Saturday. With Florian Wirtz also out-of-sorts as the number 10, there is a possibility of a complete change in the engine room.
As one of three vice-captains, the absence from the starting line-up of Szoboszlai would be notable. But Alexis Mac Allister will be pressing for a start and teenager Trey Nyoni, impressive in pre-season, has yet to begin a competitive match under Iraola.
James McConnell, on the bench three times this season, is another option, along with Endo who has been among the substitutes for every Premier League game but, similar to his younger team-mate, hasn't had a minute this term.
Iraola, meanwhile, suggested last week Koumas could be an alternative in the number 10 role where Szoboszlai has previously featured.
Gakpo on standby
The versatile Koumas is also an option out wide with Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz having started against Fulham and Iraola keen to rotate his wingers regardless of the competition.
Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha both emerged from the bench on Saturday, although Gakpo may be utilised in a central position should Alexander Isak be rested.
Jayden Danns, in the matchday squad against Atletico Madrid last week in the Champions League, is another striker alternative. Federico Chiesa, though, hasn't played this season due to a back injury.