Andoni Iraola has opened up about difficulties within his Liverpool team
Andoni Iraola has come under fire for starting Alisson in Liverpool's Champions League win over LASK
Andoni Iraola has maintained his unbeaten start in Europe(Image: Branislav Racko/AFP via Getty Images)
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Liverpool responded to their recent 3-0 drubbing by Manchester City in emphatic style, sweeping aside LASK in a pulsating 6-3 victory to secure their second Champions League win of the campaign.
It was an explosive attacking display from Andoni Iraola’s side, though three late goals conceded past Alisson Becker served as a stark reminder of their ongoing defensive frailties.
Bradley Barcola stole the headlines with his first senior hat-trick, while the Reds' defence showed their impact on the attacking side of the ball with Jeremie Frimpong, Kostas Tsimikas and Ronald Araujo contributing to goals.
Despite Florian Wirtz chipping in with an assist, the midfielder's broader form continues to spark debate, while Iraola has opened up about the selection dilemmas he has ahead of a frantic fixture run.
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Iraola admits difficulty
Liverpool's six-goal haul in Austria featured four goal contributions from defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Ronald Araujo. The Dutchman registered two assists and a goal, while the summer recruit netted his maiden strike for the club.
Five of Araujo's nine appearances have come at right-back owing to Frimpong's defensive vulnerabilities and Conor Bradley's ongoing injury absence. Nevertheless, the pair lined up alongside one another on Wednesday, and Iraola acknowledged that the striking contrast between their respective styles at right-back has a notable impact on the team's overall performance.
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola revealed the different qualities that Jeremie Frimpong and Ronald Araujo offer Liverpool(Image: Getty)
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He said after full-time: "It is clear the difference in the team when we play with Jeremie and Ronald. The demands we put on the players are completely different. Jeremie helps us more offensively as he can arrive in the final third positions, but that does leave more space behind because you can't cover everything.
"Ronald is the opposite because he is more comfortable defending as a center-back, but he doesn't give us the runs in behind, overlaps, or the options that Jeremie does. It is about us seeing what we need from the game, but we need to keep them both in a good place so we have those options during games. Until we recover Conor, I am happy to have those options."
Wirtz's struggles explained
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between LASK and Liverpool FC
Florian Wirtz is still yet to show his best for Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Steven Gerrard has suggested that a profound lack of confidence is the root cause of Florian Wirtz's inconsistency at Liverpool. The 23-year-old has failed to justify his hefty £116million price tag since arriving at Anfield last year.
Wirtz produced his most encouraging display of the season in midweek, teeing up Barcola's second goal of the evening, yet he still remains without a goal of his own in the 2026/27 campaign.
The former Reds skipper spoke candidly about Wirtz's predicament on the Stick to Football podcast, yet remained adamant that the German international can still fulfil his potential at Anfield.
"I am not denying that he is underperforming and that we should have seen a lot more given his price tag," Gerrard said. "But I just think there is a chance, and it's happened previously, that players can turn it around. I think he's got the talent to turn it around, but his confidence is shot at the moment."