Postmatch Thoughts: What Will Iraola Do?

After two preseason victories, the Reds slumped to defeat after leading 2-0 at half-time. The internet is in overdrive. Hysteria has set in!!

However, for me, this was a great game for Andoni Iraola. He will take away a lot.

One thing being overlooked as the fanbase goes through withdrawal is that Leeds, in both halves, fielded teams of experienced players. The Reds, in comparison, continued to play a liberal sprinkling of Academy players.

In the first two games, the mix was four senior players to seven Academy players. With the arrival of Wirtz and Isak, it flipped to seven senior players starting with four Academy youngsters. Liverpool dominated the first half, with the big names showing up well as the team left the pitch two goals to the good at the interval.

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A Tale of Two Halves

Wirtz, Isak, Ngumoha and the highly impressive Trey Nyoni left at the half. In response, Leeds brought on Wilson, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin and Longstaff. Leeds now had players who could hold and possess the ball.

Liverpool’s midfield three of Gravenberch, Jones and Szoboszlai struggled to match them, the latter eventually being replaced by Harvey Elliott. Up top, Koumas, Chiesa and Morrison weren’t in the game.

Heading back to Merseyside, what might Andoni Iraola be pencilling in on his notepad?

1) Potential Big Buys Are on the Way — Who Can We Afford to Lose to Generate Funds?

• Curtis Jones — looks like he is already on the way out.
• Harvey Elliott — may join him if the Reds splash out on someone like Alex Scott.
• Kostas Tsimikas — if Luke Chambers has done enough to suggest he can move up, might the Reds entertain selling Kostas?
• Federico Chiesa — always rumoured to be on his way. With Isak’s injury record, it may be wise to keep him around unless …
• Cody Gakpo — said to be in conversation with Tottenham. If sold, replacing him with a striker or backup to Isak would make sense.
• Alexis Mac Allister — are the rumours true? If sold, he should bring in a good fee.

2) Academy Players Who Could Step Up to the First-Team Squad

• Trey Nyoni — a standout and a major factor in why Jones could be leaving.
• Luke Chambers — impressed throughout the American tour. On the verge of the first-team squad.
• James McConnell — close to the first-team squad but might be crowded out; a potential sale.
• Calvin Ramsay — a potential sale, but looks like a useful right back and the Reds are short-handed in that department.
• Lewis Koumas — I believe he could contribute in a full-strength Liverpool team; also a potential sale.
• Kieran Morrison — similar to Koumas but younger, with a loan being the best possible option.
• Mor Talla Ndiaye — first-team squad, if only because of Liverpool’s lack of central defenders. Definite potential.
• Callum Scanlon — did well but, because of his age, might be a potential sale.

3) Loans

• Ifeanyi Ndukwe — has to go on loan to be eligible for a work permit. Only 18, but already looks ready to be a fourth- or fifth-option first-team squad player.
• Will Wright — if Jayden Danns can get fit, send him out on loan.
• Harvey Davies and Josh Sonni-Lambie — both are possible loans.

What Would I Do?

What will Iraola do?

If it were left to me, I would bring back former Academy players like Neco Williams (RB) and Jarrell Quansah (CB). If Darwin Nunez were free, I’d bring him back too. He can do a job.

Rather than chasing £100m superstars, I would favour someone similar to West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen. Bowen is a good player, team-orientated and versatile. It’s money well spent.

I laugh when I hear that FSG want to buy players with a resale value. There has been a string of players from Emre Can onwards who have run down their contracts and left. This is a clue to a significant problem at Anfield, and it began during the past couple of years of the Klopp era — Sporting Director!

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