Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has reflected on the start of the season for new Reds head coach Andoni Iraola — predicting a major tactical change at Anfield
Andoni Iraola has been backed to make a tactical change soon at Liverpool
Andoni Iraola has been backed to make a tactical change soon at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images))
Jamie Carragher has backed Andoni Iraola to make a change to his midfield setup soon, with the former Liverpool star predicting a major tactical shift.
It follows concerns that the defender-turned-pundit raised early on this season, when he questioned the current profiles and skill sets in the central ranks available to the manager. In Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister, the Reds have a quartet of players who are offensively minded but can lack some of the defensive stability and control required at times.
Those issues were clearest in a defensive sense in early clashes with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, where conceding from counterattacks became a common occurrence and an early weakness for the side.
Since then, there have been questions about the balance of the team, with Carragher believing that a tactical shift will come in the midfield soon for Liverpool.
Discussing the midfield in his latest column for The Telegraph, the former defender said: "Then there is the Florian Wirtz conundrum which I referenced before the opening weekend.
"It’s not just that Wirtz is not producing enough in terms of goals and assists, but playing him as the No. 10 has a knock-on effect on other midfielders.
"Dominik Szoboszlai is less suited to playing deeper. Watching Liverpool it feels a question of when, not if, the midfield is reshaped.”
The Liverpool midfield could be set for a reshape
The Liverpool midfield could be set for a reshape(Image: (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
How that midfield reshuffle could look remains to be seen, with Iraola having to make some tough decisions if he is forced to pick between Szoboszlai and Wirtz.
On the one hand, he has one of his vice captains, a player who has stepped up at important moments when needed, and someone who can dig the Reds out of a tough situation.
On the other hand, the manager has a player with huge potential after an important investment from the club, who will need time and games to reach that level.
It's a decision between immediate impact and patience, with the manager so far opting for a system that can get both of them involved, but it's unclear exactly how long that can last as it is, as hinted by Carragher.
As things stand, it looks unlikely that Iraola will make such a change for the coming match against Bournemouth.
However, with a three-week international break coming up, the manager could have time to reflect on the team's start so far and make a bold decision once they return.