Andoni Iraola has had three weeks to plan the next phase at Liverpool during the international break, with some major decisions to be made ahead of taking on Man City
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during a press conference.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during a press conference.(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Liverpool takes on Manchester City this weekend as the Premier League returns — but the competition will have a different look and feel after the guilty verdict that was delivered on the Etihad side last week.
Enzo Maresca's men are now in limbo — guilty, but having appealed and without any indication yet as to what the sanction might be — and that adds another dimension to a clash that has been feisty in recent seasons.
Andoni Iraola has plenty of decisions to make on his line-up too. Later this week, when he speaks to the media in a press conference, he will be asked about the latest on injuries.
But Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both picked up injury concerns during the international break, and Jeremy Jacquet missed France's win over Belgium, having felt something in his hamstring.
Liverpool already had a fairly limited amount of squad depth heading into the internationals.
And with nine matches to cram in until the November round of Nations League fixtures arrives, it is only going to be tested further in the next month or so.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alisson Becker will be in goal and Virgil van Dijk, who collected his 100th cap for the Netherlands this week, will be at center-back. Milos Kerkez is likely to be the left-back.
If Jacquet is injured, though, there is a dilemma regarding Ronald Araujo, who has been very strong at full-back of late. He could stay there, with Joe Gomez coming into the center, or Jeremie Frimpong could get another chance.
In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai seems a certain starter, while Alexis Mac Allister has been in good form. Ryan Gravenberch is another option, but he has not performed to a high standard at the club level for some time.
Jamie Carragher spoke before the international break about dropping Florian Wirtz, but Liverpool may not have enough attacking options if Isak and Gakpo are indeed to miss out.
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Bradley Barcola, Rio Ngumoha, and Victor Munoz should all be available to play out wide, while Lewis Koumas could be the alternative at number nine.
Wirtz might even work as a false nine should Isak not be able to take part in the Manchester City contest. That is a role that he has played before, though both Iraola and Jurgen Klopp have exclusively used him as a number 10.
Either way, should Liverpool be without some key personnel, Iraola will have some major calls to make. Fortunately, he has had three weeks to ponder the solutions.