Andoni Iraola has outlined a key requirement for any winger Liverpool sign this summer: the ability to operate on both flanks. The head coach explained his reasoning for deploying match-winner Rio Ngumoha on the right wing during the 1-0 victory over Wrexham at New York's Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night.
Ngumoha's Winning Strike
Ngumoha scored the only goal of the game with a second-half strike, catching the eye in an unfamiliar role on the right side. The 17-year-old's performance highlighted the versatility Iraola wants from his wide players.
Barcola Transfer Pursuit
Liverpool are preparing to open talks with Paris Saint-Germain over Bradley Barcola, who is valued at £140m by the French champions. The Reds hope to negotiate a lower fee for the France international, who primarily plays on the left wing.
Versatility Key to Unpredictability
Speaking at a press conference in Chicago on Thursday morning, Iraola stressed the importance of versatility. "Yes, I think [playing both sides] is a great skill to have because in the end you become less predictable," he said. "And I think I know most of them have one preferred side but maybe you are only going to play there 70% of the time. We need you somewhere on the side for some games because we want to exploit one concrete match-up. Or we see there can be a weakness on the side tactically, something we can see that we have a chance."
He added that being able to play both sides benefits the player and the team: "To be able to play both sides, it becomes better for you because you can have more minutes and it's also better for us because we can use the squad better I think."
Reasoning for Ngumoha's Role
Iraola elaborated on why he chose Ngumoha on the right against Wrexham. "Two aspects. First, our wingers, normally, I am encouraging them to have the ability to play both sides. I know some of them are more comfortable on just one side but we normally aren't symmetric as a team. So sometimes one of the wingers will have to do more defensive work or has to play higher or more inside or outside."
He continued: "So if you can give me the option to put you both sides it is selfishly for you to get minutes. Now in pre-season I have to see where they are more comfortable. But in my previous clubs most of the wingers have played both sides and even during games we have changed sometimes the sides of the wingers. I would like it now if we could have this versatility. For me that would be a big help."
