Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz are the Liverpool players most in need of improvement under Andoni Iraola, as the Reds prepare to host Manchester City in their first Premier League game after the international break.
The return fixture is a huge one, with City visiting Anfield for the first time since being found guilty by the Premier League of 114 charges of breaching financial rules. It also marks the start of a run of nine games in 29 days for Liverpool, which will test the depth of their squad.
Gravenberch's dip in form
According to ECHO chief Liverpool FC correspondent Ian Doyle, the positive impact of Iraola is reflected in players who have regained form, such as Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister, and new signings who have made an immediate impact, including Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo. However, not every squad member has hit the ground running.
While Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have had troubles in the full-back positions, Doyle identifies Gravenberch as the greatest concern. Having prospered in midfield under Arne Slot, the Dutchman is still grappling with the new defensive requirements demanded by Iraola.
The early evidence at Newcastle United was not convincing, and there has been little sign of improvement since. Gravenberch has lost his regular starting role and has not featured for more than an hour in any game since the opening weekend. He has fallen behind both Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the midfield pecking order, with teenager Trey Nyoni also pressing for inclusion.
Wirtz under pressure
Liverpool could face a daunting prospect against City, with three of their players of the season so far potentially injury doubts, writes ECHO writer Theo Squires. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both withdrew from international duty with injuries, while Jeremy Jacquet sat out France's last game with a minor hamstring injury.
Should Jacquet miss out, Frimpong could be recalled, with Araujo moving inside. Frimpong started the season as first choice but lost his place to Araujo and is now linked with a move to Barcelona. After a disappointing first season, he needs to kickstart his Liverpool career soon to remain a Reds player.
Further forward, Bradley Barcola has endured a quiet start, though this can be put down to a disjointed pre-season and adjusting to a new league. But the player Liverpool need to step up most is Florian Wirtz. Like Frimpong, the German had a below-par maiden campaign and a slow start to the current one, with no goals and just one assist from the £125m man.
Wirtz showed a glimpse of his best form while away with Germany, recording a goal and an assist against Serbia before captaining his nation for the first time against Greece. Supporters have been patient with him, even though he faces fierce criticism from pundits. It is time he started to repay that faith.
