Andoni Iraola has opened up on the honest approach he takes to selection and managing his squad - with several Liverpool stars likely having those conversations with the Reds' boss
Andoni Iraola is prepared to be honest with his Liverpool players regarding their standing in the squad
Andoni Iraola is prepared to be honest with his Liverpool players regarding their standing in the squad(Image: Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola insists he's more than happy to be honest with his Liverpool players when it comes to their standing within the squad.
The Spaniard, still adapting to his new role having been appointed in the summer, has inherited a group built by Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. Despite some holes, it is not without quality, which has left plenty of competition for places.
The former Bournemouth boss, chasing his first Anfield win in the Premier League this weekend, admits he's no interest in stringing on members of his squad when it comes to where they sit in his pecking order.
Iraola has opened up on the approach he takes with his players - some of whom will be regular starters, others may be fighting for their position and some may have to accept that several individuals are preferred to them at any one time.
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He told the club's website: “You cannot tell a player if he comes here to talk to you, ‘Don’t worry, you will have your chances’ and maybe he doesn’t have the chances.
“I prefer to tell him, ‘Hey, you have to fight for your position. You are in a difficult place because I’m preferring this one in front.’ So it’s more a challenge.
“And even if you are thinking that he will have minutes, I don’t like to tell him, ‘Don’t worry, you will play.’ Because that’s a mistake when you promise, ‘Don’t worry, you will play a lot, you will have your minutes.’ Maybe he’s not playing well or he’s not deserving the minutes and then you cannot give him those minutes and you have a problem there."
Bradley Barcola's arrival has changed the dynamics in the frontline
Bradley Barcola's arrival has changed the dynamics in the frontline
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Iraola ultimately concludes: “It's impossible to be fair with everyone, but I prefer to say every decision has to be putting the team first. Even if it’s difficult for me, the decision, if it is for the benefit of the team you have to take it.”
Despite their being calls for Liverpool to bolster areas of their squad sooner rather than later, other positions are well stocked, which is leaving certain players to miss out or remain patient. It means their manager's honest conversations will take on even more importance as several players question where they stand, we take a look at a few who might be having those chats.
Alexis Mac Allister
The Argentine was happy to go public recently as he lamented his contract situation, seeing some of his midfield colleagues sign new long-term deals. Mac Allister has started in three of Liverpool's five games in the league, but with Florian Wirtz acting as the team's 10, it has left only two midfield spots available.
Alexis Mac Allister has publicly aired his frustration
Alexis Mac Allister has publicly aired his frustration
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Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch are both very much in favour, so Iraola will have to be managing a player who must, internally, be questioning whether those at Anfield see him as a long-term asset.
Victor Munoz
The Spaniard was convinced to move to Liverpool ahead of Newcastle in the summer, but that was before more than £100million was spent on Bradley Barcola. Such a mammoth investment makes the Frenchman hard to leave out. And that effectively leaves only one wing spot still up for grabs.
Munoz came off the bench to rescue a point against Nottingham Forest, showing what he can do, but that hasn't meant he's been promoted to a weekly starter. He has started in three of the five games so far, which will give him confidence, but there is certainly a rotation game to be played in the final third.
Liverpool have high hopes for Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool have high hopes for Rio Ngumoha(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Rio Ngumoha
The hype is notable, so much so that the teenager will do well to not notice it. Slot was under pressure to give him more minutes before he was axed, but Ngumoha hasn't started since the opening game of the season. He's already had to digest being an unused substitute.
When you're 18 it is easy to want to be in a hurry. And there's a balance to strike between letting youth just flourish, which requires minutes, but equally managing expectations and protecting such talents. Iraola has a tough task on his hands there.
Cody Gakpo
Before the summer transfer window shut he was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, which seemed like a natural move with Barcola coming in as the blockbuster recruit. Ironically it seems to have spurred on the Dutchman, who has been perhaps the best performing attacker at Anfield to start the campaign
Cody Gakpo had looked set to leave Liverpool in the summer
Cody Gakpo had looked set to leave Liverpool in the summer(Image: Richard Lee/Shutterstock)
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That has made managing him and his expectations all the more challenging for Iraola, who on form would perhaps have Gakpo as the first name on the team sheet. But there's a determination to get the best from Alexander Isak, Wirtz and now Barcola. All of which leaves Gakpo with games that will have to see him on the bench.
Joe Gomez
It feels mental that he's not even 30 yet given how long he's been at the club. Gomez played under Brendan Rodgers, underlining the extent of his spell at Anfield. Gomez though has been constantly struck down by injuries, and that continued in pre-season, which has put him on the back foot.
He returned for the bench recently and his first appearance came in the Carabao Cup, but with Ronald Araujo coming in from Barcelona to aid Virgil van Dijk, the battle to be a first choice centre-half has ramped up. Gomez is known for his versatility, but Iraola is persevering with the team's full-backs at present.