Andoni Iraola has said he is willing to be honest with his Liverpool players about their standing in the squad, as several first-team regulars face the prospect of difficult conversations over their roles.
The Spaniard, appointed in the summer, inherited a group built by Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, and competition for places is high. Iraola, who is seeking his first Premier League win at Anfield this weekend, said he has no interest in misleading members of his squad about their position in his pecking order.
Iraola's golden rule
Speaking to the club's website, Iraola explained his approach: “You cannot tell a player if he comes here to talk to you, ‘Don’t worry, you will have your chances’ and maybe he doesn’t have the chances.
“I prefer to tell him, ‘Hey, you have to fight for your position. You are in a difficult place because I’m preferring this one in front.’ So it’s more a challenge.
“And even if you are thinking that he will have minutes, I don’t like to tell him, ‘Don’t worry, you will play.’ Because that’s a mistake when you promise, ‘Don’t worry, you will play a lot, you will have your minutes.’ Maybe he’s not playing well or he’s not deserving the minutes and then you cannot give him those minutes and you have a problem there.”
He concluded: “It's impossible to be fair with everyone, but I prefer to say every decision has to be putting the team first. Even if it’s difficult for me, the decision, if it is for the benefit of the team you have to take it.”
Players who may face tough chats
With some positions well stocked, several players may find themselves on the receiving end of those honest conversations. Alexis Mac Allister has publicly aired frustration over his contract situation, having started in three of Liverpool's five league games. With Florian Wirtz occupying the number 10 role, only two midfield spots remain, and Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch are currently favoured.
Victor Munoz, convinced to join Liverpool ahead of Newcastle, has seen more than £100 million spent on Bradley Barcola, leaving one wing spot available. Munoz came off the bench to rescue a point against Nottingham Forest but has started only three of five games.
Teenager Rio Ngumoha, 18, has not started since the opening game of the season and has been an unused substitute. Cody Gakpo, linked with a move to Manchester City before the transfer window shut, has been one of the best performing attackers, yet faces competition from Alexander Isak, Wirtz and Barcola.
Joe Gomez, who has been at the club since Brendan Rodgers' time, has suffered injuries again, including in pre-season. With Ronald Araujo arriving from Barcelona, the battle for a centre-half spot has intensified, and Gomez's first appearance came in the Carabao Cup.
