Liverpool's draw against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday has left Andoni Iraola with much work to do
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola claimed his side 'lacked freshness' against Fulham on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)
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There are several players who have a point to prove to Andoni Iraola following Liverpool's underwhelming 0-0 draw with Fulham on Saturday. The Reds are still unbeaten this season, but the performance against the Cottagers was as insipid as it was uninspiring, leaving a legion of question marks for the Reds' boss.
What Liverpool's best full-back pairing is, what's the best combination in attack and who deserves to play in central midfield are three big issues facing the Basque. There's now the matter of a Carabao Cup tie with Spurs coming up on Tuesday, before Iraola leads his side to his former club Bournemouth on Sunday, September 20.
Here, the ECHO runs the rule over seven players, from those fighting for their place to those looking to get a foothold in the team, who have a big point to prove in wake of the stalemate with Fulham.
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Alexis Mac Allister
The World Cup winner has started two games out of Liverpool's four Premier League games so far. It's easy to argue that Mac Allister deserves to start over any of his midfield team-mates at present.
He started the Fulham tie on the bench but came on in the second half. Of the Argentine's 30-minute performance, the ECHO handed Mac Allister a rating of six in our player ratings and wrote he "tried to initiate attacks and at least put himself about in midfield."
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-1 against Atletico Madrid
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-1 against Atletico Madrid(Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Mac Allister started the Reds 2-0 win over Ipswich in the Reds' third game of the campaign and balanced Iraola's engine room well alongside Dominik Szoboszlai.
His showing against Atletico Madrid midweek, capped by a stunning winning goal, again demonstrated that he's regaining the form that made him so vital to the Reds in the first place. Simply put, if there's anyone who should be knocking on Iraola's door, it's Mac Allister.
Milos Kerkez
What to make of the enigmatic Kerkez? Sometimes hailed for his chunky challenges and never-say-die attitude, all too often the full-back is caught out on the break or is guilty of squandering possession.
There is growing evidence that Iraola may not be entirely convinced by the player he managed at Bournemouth. The Hungarian was dropped for the Fulham game, after making a costly error against Atletico, in favour of Kostas Tsimikas.
Milos Kerkez of Liverpool warms up before the UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid
An error from Milos Kerkez contributed to Atletico Madrid's opening goal against Liverpool at Anfield(Image: Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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That may have been due to him playing almost 90 minutes midweek, or it could suggest Kerkez hasn't nailed down the left-back spot entirely. Tsimikas' hapless performance on Saturday ultimately saw Kerkez thrust back into action at half-time, but his place in the first XI is no longer a given.
Trey Nyoni
With the deafening furore around Liverpool's failure to add to their midfield in the summer transfer window, Nyoni was touted as the reason for the Reds' hesitation when it came to adding fresh faces in the middle.
A £30million bid by Nottingham Forest was turned down for the youngster, too, with Nyoni viewed as an important part of Iraola's squad. So, you'd be forgiven for thinking he would've featured more than he has by now.
Trey Nyoni of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Monaco at Anfield in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Trey Nyoni is yet to play a major part in Liverpool's season(Image: News Images/NurPhoto)
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In fact, the 19-year-old has made just two cameo appearances in the Premier League so far this season, impressing in the late stages against Ipswich.
He should be in line for a start in the League Cup third round tie against Tottenham, however, and with the uncertainty plaguing the midfield currently, he may never get a better chance to cement his place.
Dominik Szoboszlai
The Reds' vice captain was found wanting against Fulham. The ECHO handed him a 4/10 rating, saying it was a "concerning outing with only sporadic bursts of energy in an overall alarmingly listless display" in the game against the Cottagers.
Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool
Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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The Hungarian star will face little competition for his place in the midfield, due to his ability to flip games with a vital goal. But there is an argument to be made that the stylish superstar needs to prove to Iraola that he belongs in the middle - and not at right-back, a position he has made clear he has no interest in.
Ryan Gravenberch
The linchpin of Liverpool's Premier League title-winning midfield has a big point to prove to his new manager. The Dutch player failed to impress after being given a starting berth against Fulham, in what was a huge opportunity.
The ECHO handed him a rating of a 4 and labelled his performance 'a worrying afternoon'. Gravenberch has been benched since the opening weekend draw at Newcastle, where he was responsible for unwittingly initiating the moves for both home goals.
Three male athletes engage in a soccer match on a field. The player in the center, wearing a red uniform, sprints forward while being closely pursued by an opponent in a black uniform. A third player in a red uniform trails behind. The background features a partially visible crowd seated on the bleachers.
Gravenberch has struggled to break into the first team this season(Image: Getty Images)
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He did little against Fulham, suggesting he has a fight on his hands to wrestle back his place. Gravenberch has shown his quality for Liverpool before, but it is time for him to step up again.
Kostas Tsimikas
The Greek full-back spent last season on loan at Roma and it looked like his time at the Reds had come to an end. That he found himself starting against Fulham will have surprised him as much as it did the club’s fans.
Kostas Tsimikas
Tsimikas managed just 45 minutes before being hooked at halftime by Andoni Iraola on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)
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Yet he struggled badly and was hooked for Kerkez at half-time. Our player rating gave him a four, adding: "Something of an understatement to state the Greek looked rusty on his first Premier League start in 16 months."
As it happens, due to Liverpool’s lack of transfer business at left-back, Tsimikas has found himself as Kerkez's understudy. It means that all he has to do is prove to Iraola he can perform better than he did on Saturday, and the left-back position could be his. Maybe.
Luke Chambers
That said, Chambers could be the player to challenge the monopoly held by Kerkez and Tsimikas over the left-back spot this season.
The 22-year-old started the final two games of the pre-season tour of the United States against Wrexham and Leeds United. While he is yet to feature in the Premier League, he was on the bench for the tie against Atleti last Wednesday.
Andoni Iraola, head coach of Liverpool and Luke Chambers of Liverpool react at full time after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield
Luke Chambers could provide an alternative option at left-back(Image: 2026 Molly Darlington)
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Chambers spent the second half of last season on loan at Charlton Athletic, where he was a regular as the Addicks avoided relegation from the Championship. With his competition for the left-back spot flailing, he may have a chance to make it his own if he's selected in the League Cup game with Spurs this week.