Andoni Iraola has highlighted Liverpool's need for attacking reinforcements before Tuesday's transfer deadline by outlining his plan to rotate the forward line this season.
The Reds are working to finalise a deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola after earlier this week reaching an agreement in principle over a transfer that could ultimately be worth in the region of £120million. Liverpool are also keen to sign a right-sided forward having looked at Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr after cooling on Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh with the Seagulls asking for almost £80m for the Gambia international.
Forward options to share game time
Victor Munoz remains the only new attacking signing this transfer window, with the £34.5m capture from Osasuna in contention for a first competitive start in Saturday's Premier League lunchtime visit of Nottingham Forest.
Iraola has explained all of his forward options can expect significant game time over the course of the season with the bench utilised to strengthen the attack in particular.
"For me, wingers, forwards, I always tell them that they don't need to give us 90 minutes," said the Reds head coach. "When you are exhausted, it is good news because we have taken everything from you and someone else will come in."
"We have to use the subs, especially in forward positions. We have the situation now with Jeremy (Jacquet), who hasn't had a proper pre-season, but he is close to getting there. But normally defenders can last 90 minutes easier."
"For offensive players, it's not mandatory that you play the whole game. Once you are done, we can change you. I think it's the best way, and they have to understand it like this."
Contrast with predecessors
Iraola's approach is in contrast to that of predecessors Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, who for example were reluctant to substitute Mohamed Salah in the hope the Egyptian could make the difference in the final stages of games.
That said, Alexander Isak's 90-minute outing in last Sunday's 2-2 draw at Newcastle United was the first time the Sweden international had featured in a full match for Liverpool since his £125m arrival last September.
Munoz won the late equalising penalty for Dominik Szoboszlai during a second-half cameo from the bench, and is now competing with Rio Ngumoha, who turns 18 on Saturday, for a place on the right against Forest.
"Victor is a player I had never coached against because he made his debut in La Liga when I was already here in the Premier League," said Iraola. "But I had very good references of him. The club put his name there (to me) and we started to analyse his game. We all liked what he gives us."
"It's early for him in terms of him still not being able to speak the language, and he needs to get a better relationship with team-mates. But I like his attitude. He works very hard. He is ready to play right side, left side, and he impacted the game the other day. The other day (at Newcastle), the subs all played very well. In terms of physical ability, he is ready to start the games."
First competitive home game
Saturday represents Iraola's first competitive home game against a Forest team that have won on their last two Premier League visits. It will be a special occasion for the Basque, who will be watched by his wife Itziar and their two children from the stands at Anfield.
"My wife never normally comes to my games, but now she is starting to go because my kids want to go. The kids are starting to understand football a little bit and they will sometimes go. Not all the time, but they will be there for the first game because the timing is very good," said Iraola.
"Do my children have any favourite Liverpool players? They have, yes, but I will not say it here otherwise I will have problems with the other players!"
Iraola added: "I think that is an emotional part that is going to be probably only for me. The players, they are more used to playing at Anfield. But there is a football side to it and always games against (Forest boss Oliver) Glasner and against Forest are not easy. They've beaten us the last two years here at Anfield, so there is a danger there because they've done it already. I think they will remember it well and for sure they will try to do it again."
"We have to be ready to control the game, to try to put them in a lot of difficulties and to make the game very, very uncomfortable. And then be the team that is putting pressure on them."
"I hope things go well, and we can win the game and we can perform well. In that moment, I will be focused on the things that I see on the pitch. I know it's my first game, but I will not be trying to think too much about those things. Probably when the game finishes, and if it finishes well, then I will be more thinking of myself."
