Andoni Iraola has plenty to ponder as he enters his first international break as Liverpool boss. It has been a satisfactory, if unspectacular, start for the Reds, who sit sixth in the table after five games, albeit six points off early leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool's hard-fought win at Bournemouth suggested that Iraola has solid foundations on which to build as he looks to take the fight to City and champions Arsenal. That said, there are niggling issues he will be mulling over between now and the Reds' next game against City on October 11, such as an unbalanced squad and how to get the best out of Florian Wirtz.
The Spaniard will also be hoping the 18 first-team players called up for international duty return unscathed.
Solution for problem position
The left-back position remains a headache for Liverpool following the departure of Andy Robertson. Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas are currently vying for the role, with neither being especially convincing. It is too early to write either player off, but if Liverpool are drawing up a target list ahead of January, the left side of defence is probably at the top of it.
Crystal Palace, who have become prey for clubs higher up the Premier League food chain, could provide the next option. Highly-rated left-back Tyrick Mitchell, who is out of contract next summer, is on Liverpool's radar, according to TEAMtalk. To avoid losing him for nothing at the end of the season, Mitchell could be made available for the right price in January. Palace did the same with Marc Guehi when he joined City, which the Reds will not need reminding of.
Szoboszlai: 'No excuses'
Dominik Szoboszlai says Liverpool cannot use the "transitional season" excuse and must challenge for major honours this season. While the Reds are at the start of another new era under Iraola, Szoboszlai knows the club's status and recent expenditure mean patience is in short supply.
The Hungarian said: "It's enough to speak about that we need time. Obviously, last season things weren't going well and we were saying that new players came in and a couple of players left and it didn't work out.
"So we were saying we need time because of the transition. Now we will say that Mo [Salah] left, a legend and with all the respect. Robbo [Roberton] the same.
"Every year, something is going to happen. So, at one point we have to take the responsibility and stop making excuses, because we are Liverpool FC. We don't have three years to renew everybody and start again. So I think it starts now and we are there again. It's a long season."
