Andoni Iraola has a number of selection decisions to make as Liverpool prepare to open their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid
Bradley Barcola made his debut for Liverpool against Ipswich(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool are up and running! The Reds tasted victory for the first time under Andoni Iraola on Friday night as they won 2-0 away at Ipswich Town.
Following successive 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, Alexander Isak’s quick-fire early brace was enough to clinch the win for Iraola’s men at Portman Road.
Iraola made one change for the trip to East Anglia as Ronald Araujo came in at right-back for Jeremie Frimpong. Meanwhile, new signing Bradley Barcola was handed his Liverpool debut off the bench in the 64th minute.
The Reds return to action at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night as their Champions League campaign gets underway. And the ECHO has taken a look at what changes Iraola could make for his European debut in charge of Liverpool…
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Retain Ronald
Araujo was certainly impressive against Ipswich after being handed his full Reds debut and will feel he has done enough to retain his place. The Uruguayan could continue at right-back, or, alternatively, switch to his favoured centre-back position if Iraola wishes to protect Jeremy Jacquet following three successive starts after a lengthy injury lay-off.
Should Araujo switch to the middle, then Frimpong would likely return at right-back. On the opposing flank, Kostas Tsimikas is an alternative to Milos Kerkez if Iraola opts to rotate.
Joe Gomez had been tipped to return to training next week, but can only hope for a place on the bench at best if back fit.
Midfield rotation
Iraola has plenty of options in midfield after sticking with the starting trio of Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister against Ipswich.
Benched for Liverpool’s last two games, Ryan Gravenberch would be hoping for a recall. Should he get the nod, he would likely come in for either Szoboszlai or Wirtz, with the other lining up at number 10.
Trey Nyoni is also an option after impressing again as a substitute, but Wataru Endo is not eligible after being left out of the Reds’ Champions League squad.
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Full debut for Barcola?
Iraola urged supporters to be patient with Barcola following his debut against Ipswich, offering a reminder that the forward was making his first appearance since France’s World Cup third-place play-off loss to England back in July.
The 24-year-old completed roughly 25 minutes against Ipswich, so it is debatable whether he would yet be considered ready to start as Liverpool manage him carefully.
If he does get the nod, the in-form Cody Gakpo will likely switch to the right flank with Isak again leading the line.
But if Barcola has to make do with bench duty, Rio Ngumoha could earn a recall as he vies with Victor Munoz for the final starting berth in the Reds’ attack.