Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola waved away any concerns about his side's depth during a Monday press conference while offering some cover to his beleagured midfield
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola hasn't gotten much out of the Liverpool midfield this season(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola's side looked a bit discombobulated against Fulham on Saturday in a meek 0-0 home draw against a Fulham side winless in the Premier League.
The Spanish coach is expected to make changes to his side for Tuesday's League Cup matchup against Tottenham, with youngster Trey Nyoni potentially making his first start of the season to patch a disjointed-looking midfield.
Liverpool opted against signing a true No. 6 in the summer window despite clamoring from fans. Iraola admitted in Monday's press conference that he's "happy" with his squad depth in general, adding a specific message about the midfield.
“I'm very happy with the squad, I value a lot the players we have," he shared.
"If we win games, the squad looks fantastic. If we don't win, then there are problems or whatever. We will see tomorrow players we haven't seen, and I am looking forward to seeing them. They can help us, and they haven't had the chance yet," Iraola added.
He opted for a double pivot of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, leaving Alexis Mac Allister on the bench despite his heroics in the Champions League last week.
Ryan Gravenberch
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch hasn't been his best to start the season(Image: Getty Images)
Both midfielders lost the majority of their aerial and ground duels and failed to create much early on. Gravenberch was hooked for Mac Allister in the 60th minute.
Iraola offered players in the position cover from some recent criticism. “It's more than the midfield. When we have been good collectively, the midfielders have looked a lot better and recovered more balls. We are helping them more to win the duels," he said
Trey Nyoni
Trey Nyoni could see action on Tuesday in the League Cup(Image: Getty Images)
"[If] the ones up front do their job very well, then the midfielders look good. If we are allowing them to defend one-v-one all the time and we are not aggressive, then our defenders will also struggle."
"If the players ahead of you are doing the job, then midfielders look better. It is more collective. That's the help we have to give to our defenders and midfielders so everyone looks better, looks smarter, and [is] in better positions.”
Iraola doesn't have too many further options in midfield. Academy graduate turned first-team regular Curtis Jones was sold to Inter Milan this summer. Wataru Endo, on the bench this Saturday, has struggled to remain healthy.
James McConnell, a revelation under Jurgen Klopp in 2024, isn't trusted. Stefan Bajcetic, a Klopp revelation in 2022, moved back to Celta Vigo after three years of injury hell.