Andoni Iraola will be relying on his full squad to chip in with some big performances after the international break, with some important matches around the corner.
Head Coach Andoni Iraola of Liverpool with assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC
Andoni Iraola will be relying on a few players to impress after the international break(Image: (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images))
After nearly three weeks away, Liverpool is finally back in action this week, looking to build on a relatively positive start for Andoni Iraola as head coach.
The Reds remain unbeaten across all competitions, though with some mixed performances along the way, and one too many draws in some fixtures that, on paper, the team would've expected to win.
That is all part of a greater rebuild for the Merseyside outfit, however, which is still adjusting to a change in head coach, in direction, and in players on the pitch.
After the international break, things get tougher. There are nine matches between now and the next break in November, spanning the Premier League, Champions League, and EFL Cup, with some interesting challenges ahead.
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In the league, clashes with Manchester City and Arsenal will truly test Liverpool, while matches against Brentford, Brighton, and Crystal Palace around them won't be easy either. On the European stage there are meetings with LASK, Villarreal, and Fenerbahce, on top of EFL Cup action against Chelsea.
It will be a run that will truly test Iraola's ability to manage the squad, rotating players who will get an option in that nine-game spell to truly prove they can make an impact moving forward.
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So, with that said, here's a look at five players who could have a defining month of action ahead of them for Liverpool, who Iraola will be asking to step up.
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz of Germany
Florian Wirtz was excellent as Germany beat Serbia(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool needs Florian Wirtz to step up. The playmaker joined from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for a huge fee and has struggled to make much of an impact thus far.
While the message from his coaches and teammates has been one of patience, how long are the Reds expected to wait before he starts to dictate games in a way that he has shown he can do in the past?
The international break may have done Wirtz some good in getting his confidence back, with Jurgen Klopp clearly trusting the midfielder to unlock games for the national team, which could kickstart him on the domestic front.
There are fewer games quite as big as those against Man City and Arsenal, both of which are coming up soon, so there is a real chance for him to take the run of games by the scruff of the neck and show why he is so highly rated.
Bradley Barcola
Ugucan Cakir (1) of Turkiye in action against Bradley Barcola (12) of France during the UEFA Nations League A League Group 1 match between Turkiye and France
Bradley Barcola made an impact for France from the bench(Image: (Photo by Oguz Yeter/Anadolu via Getty Images))
Bradley Barcola hadn't really had a preseason by the time he joined Liverpool in the summer which, combined with moving to a new country and competing in a whole new league, means it has taken some time for him to get up to speed.
There have been glimpses of the Frenchman's talents, and there is some promise there that he can live up to the expectations many have set upon him.
However, he will need to be decisive when it really counts for Liverpool. In the upcoming run of games, Barcola will get a chance to show his full range of qualities, especially considering the injury concerns that surround Cody Gakpo in his position.
Lewis Koumas
Lewis Koumas of Wales applauds the fans during the warm up before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match against Wales
Lewis Koumas started for Wales in the victory over Norway(Image: Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
A minor injury for Alexander Isak over the international break has once again displayed just how thin the Liverpool squad is in terms of its depth.
The Swedish international is the only recognised senior striker at Anfield, and while he could feature against Man City this week, he must still be protected over the coming weeks.
That may only underline how important Lewis Koumas may well be. The energetic forward is a winger by trade, but he showed all of the ability necessary to be a top striker for Iraola's system moving forward.
Considering the amount of games up ahead, the Welsh international is likely to get a few chances to impress, and he will need to take them to repay the faith the manager has shown him.
Trey Nyoni
Trey Nyoni poses during the official UEFA Champions League 2026/27 portrait session
Trey Nyoni poses during the official UEFA Champions League 2026/27 portrait session (Image: 2026 UEFA)
After an impressive preseason, Trey Nyoni has left his mark on the team, but is yet to truly get a run of games where he can make an impact.
The youngster is working his way through the ranks, but this run of games could well catapult him into contention for the team in most weeks.
With rotation expected, as well as the possibility of injuries, Nyoni may be called upon several times to show his quality and why he should be in the side on a regular basis.
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid
Jeremie Frimpong has endured a mixed start to the season with Liverpool(Image: Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
It's not been an ideal start to the season for Jeremie Frimpong. After a few difficult games, the defender was almost immediately replaced by loanee Ronald Araujo, who has seemingly made right-back his own position.
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The Netherlands international may be slightly taken aback by that, especially considering that the right flank isn't the Barcelona ace's orthodox position.
While it is expected that Araujo will keep his place, for now, there will be some key matches coming up where Frimpong could leave his mark.
Iraola has already hinted at the full-back featuring in some games, especially with his attacking qualities, but he will need to impress when those opportunities arise.