Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock questioned Andoni Iraola's decision to play Alisson during the Reds' 6-3 victory over Austrian side LASK in the Champions League
Andoni Iraola's decision to start Alisson against LASK has come under scrutiny
Andoni Iraola's decision to start Alisson against LASK has come under scrutiny(Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock questioned why Reds boss Andoni Iraola risked Alisson’s fitness by playing him in Wednesday’s match against LASK.
Liverpool made quick work of the Austrian side in the Champions League clash, jumping out to a 4-0 lead before claiming a 6-3 victory and three points. Iraola opted to sit many of his stars in Austria, with Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Victor Munoz and Virgil van Dijk hitting the bench as Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha received the starting nod.
Yet Warnock couldn’t help but wonder why Alisson started in goal for the Reds with Saturday’s pivotal game versus Brentford right around the corner. “It's also a chance for Barcola to get some minutes in his legs and get a bit sharper, but Iraola's main thinking now must be to rest his key players for Saturday's game at Brentford,” he said on MOTD: UEFA Champions League.
“That's the important one, and it's going to be a much bigger test than this. So it's the right thing to do to give Van Dijk a break, but I am not sure why Alisson is playing and risking a potential injury.”
Speaking to reporters earlier in the week, Iraola stressed the importance of resting players during this grueling part of the schedule. "We are at a part of the schedule where we are having games every three days,” he noted.
"Virgil, of course, wants to play every game. We have him here available from the bench, but I think it's a good game for him to have some rest.
"Trey, Koumas and Rio are young players coming from the academy yes, but they're first-team players.”
Alisson surrendered three goals in Liverpool's win over LASK
Alisson surrendered three goals in Liverpool's win over LASK(Image: Getty Images)
Despite being named one of Liverpool’s vice captains over the summer, Alisson didn’t don an armband while Van Dijk rode the bench on Wednesday, with Kostas Tsimikas receiving the honor instead.
The surprising decision was backed by reason, with Iraola explaining that Alisson would never wear the armband because rules allow only the captains to speak with referees on the pitch.
"I explained to Alisson especially that it's not going to be possible that he wears the armband because with the new rule I think there is a big limitation if a keeper wears the armband," Iraola said back in August.
"Because if something happens in the opposition box the referee has to explain to the captains what's happening, all the decisions.
"I had one season with [goalkeeper] Neto [as captain] in Bournemouth and then you have to start every game to say a different player that can act as a captain, and this is not viable.
"But I wanted him to feel like we value him. I've had enough time and we will have more time to know each other.
"But I had to explain also the decision about the armband to Ali because he is a keeper and, unfortunately, they are putting the rules in a way that there is a lot of disadvantages to having a keeper as a captain."