Liverpool's defeat to Arsenal raised something of an unexpected issue for Andoni Iraola, although it's one Jamie Carragher may have seen coming for a while given his previous comments
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Andoni Iraola, Manager of Liverpool, reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on November 01, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola may have an awkward conversation on his hands with one of his Liverpool players(Image: Getty Images)
The dust has settled now on Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal - not that it doesn’t feel any less frustrating nearly 48 hours later.
The moment Alexis Mac Allister guided his header over the crossbar, you sensed it was not going to be the Reds’ day. Some curious officiating certainly didn’t help the cause, but you can’t help but feel that Andoni Iraola’s side could have been out there all night and wouldn’t have found a way to break through that stubborn defense.
As much as people will make a big deal out of Liverpool’s inability to record a shot on target, it didn’t necessarily feel like it was a major step back under Iraola - although the game did underline how much the Spaniard still has to work on.
There is the lack of chances for one, and Alisson Becker’s passing is becoming a growing concern. What people might not have expected though was Dominik Szoboszlai’s introduction to ring alarm bells.
As welcome as his return from injury was, his replacing of Trey Nyoni did not have the desired effect, and only really served to raise further questions about the makeup of Liverpool’s midfield options.
The substitution called to mind previous concerns Jamie Carragher has raised about Szoboszlai in midfield, which suddenly seemed more pressing on Sunday.
"I've never believed Szoboszlai is a central midfield player," Carragher said earlier this season on the Stick to Football podcast.
Jamie Carragher, former footballer and tv pundit portrait before the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK
Jamie Carragher has previously raised concerns about Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield(Image: (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images))
"Now, he's signed a new contract and I can only imagine in those talks, they were desperate for him to stay, he's almost said, 'I want to play midfield'. He's moved around a bit and he started the season in central midfield. I don't see him as that."
Carragher went on to suggest that right-back could actually end up being the best option for Szoboszlai, despite Iraola telling him during the summer he wouldn’t have to play there again.
“You've just done this big thing, he's the vice-captain, I just think that's a conversation Iraola is going to have to have going forward, because the midfield is not right and he's part of that midfield not being right,” Carragher added.
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Now, the pundit’s comments should be caveated by pointing out that the former defender has come out with some slightly strange opinions on Szoboszlai in the past. He was a regular critic of the Hungarian during Liverpool’s title-winning season in 2024/25, despite him playing an integral role in Arne Slot’s side, and Carragher has admitted to not being his biggest fan.
That being said, you can’t deny that the pundit was proved right on Sunday. For all the praise Szoboszlai deserved for his performances last season, we also have to acknowledge that his introduction against Arsenal seemed to be of detriment for Liverpool.
That’s not to say the Reds would have got anything out of the game had Nyoni still been on the pitch instead. Arsenal’s defense showed no signs of buckling under the pressure, and it only seemed to get stronger as the game wore on.
But Liverpool did seem to cede a lot of control in the game once Szoboszlai replaced Nyoni. While the youngster overcame a nervy start to the game to look composed on the ball, Szoboszlai looked like he was determined to try and create something out of nothing, which the visitors were never going to allow him to do.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal is challenged by Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on November 01, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai's introduction didn't have the desired effect for Liverpool against Arsenal(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
It’s not enough to write him off for one of those midfield roles completely, but Nyoni’s style does seem to suit Iraola’s plan more, which opens up that conversation about Szoboszlai’s position which Carragher mentioned.
Funnily enough, it might be that No.10 role which the former defender is so against for the Hungarian which might suit him best, given his work rate off the ball. That in itself opens up a whole other awkward conversation about Florian Wirtz, who Liverpool simply isn’t getting enough out of in these big games - or any other games for that matter.
And perhaps right-back might not be that farfetched an idea for Szoboszlai either, although that would feel a bit like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Any which you look at it, Iraola has to figure something out for a player you’d have assumed would be guaranteed a spot after last season - Sunday showed that isn’t necessarily the case.