Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has insisted he trusts Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz “100 per cent” despite the pair’s slow starts to the season. Speaking ahead of the Champions League meeting with Austrian side LASK, Iraola backed both players to deliver once they settle.
Trust in underperforming stars
German midfielder Wirtz has endured a tricky debut campaign at Anfield following his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen and is yet to find the net this term. French winger Barcola is also waiting for his first goal for the club after joining in a record-breaking switch from Paris Saint-Germain.
Iraola acknowledged the scrutiny but pointed to the collective nature of performances. “We need other players to give us those numbers,” he said. “We trust the players we have now to play in those positions. These injuries have been because of the international break and it will happen to other teams. It is a matter of adapting to these circumstances.”
Numbers don't tell the full story
The Liverpool boss argued that individual statistics can be misleading. “With Bradley and Flo, they have had good games and bad games this season like everyone else. We know their level and we know they will give us good performances,” he added.
He cited a recent chance against Manchester City as an example. “The other day, if Lewis Koumas scores the goal that he connects with really well, then it is one assist for Bradley Barcola. His performance is exactly the same but we will all say 'oof, he played really well with an assist'. Sometimes we focus only on the numbers. With Bradley, the other day, he had good situations and we did not finish them. Bradley and Flo are players that I trust 100%.”
Wirtz warned over Anfield expectations
On Wirtz specifically, Iraola warned the German international that he may need to get used to harsher criticism at a club of Liverpool’s stature, while suggesting his true form will emerge when the team is more cohesive.
“When you are at a big club like we are, when you don't have a good performance everyone starts looking for answers. The other day, he probably didn’t have his best game but he has had good games with us this season,” Iraola said. “He had some good performances in the national team - he scored one goal and he will have better or worse games but I would like to look at it more collectively and more how they help us play well and get results, and after I don’t care which one scores. I think it’s a more collective thing.”
