Andoni Iraola admits he has been playing one Liverpool player out of position for weeks now

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Andoni Iraola is going to have to be slightly creative with his Liverpool team to face Manchester City on Sunday after seeing Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo ruled out.The absence of Isak and Gakpo means Iraola will have to fiddle around with his forward line, potentially playing one or more players out of their natural positions.The good news is that Liverpool know they can count on the defence who have clubbed together to keep three consecutive Premier League clean sheets, with Jeremy Jacquet being passed fit to play. Ronald Araujo has been another big part of the collective effort, but while the Uruguayan has been excelling at right-back, Iraola has now admitted that he still does not see that as being Araujo’s best position.

With Jeremie Frimpong struggling, the 27-year-old has stepped up and delivered at right-back.His ability to play at full-back was reportedly a big part of the reason Liverpool decided to bring Araujo in, but Iraola has now claimed that he still sees him as being a centre-back first and foremost.“I think Ronald is now playing a lot out of position, because I still think he’s a centre-back,” the Liverpool head coach told Sky Sports on the eve of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.“But I think he’s doing a very good job, especially defensively. I think we are coming from good numbers defensively in the last games, with clean sheets, and he has helped us to get there.”READ MORE: Gary Neville explains his one worry for Liverpool when they face Man City this weekend“The demands cannot be the same as when Jeremie [Frimpong] plays or when Conor [Bradley] is going to play, they are more offensive players starting from that position.

I love these kinds of players.”Iraola confirms Araujo is fine after international travelsWhile the international break brought trouble for Isak and Gakpo – and further worry over Jacquet – there was also some concern for Liverpool’s South American players, who, as ever, travelled great distances.Araujo’s Uruguay played in Japan, South Korea and India over the past three weeks, racking up plenty of air miles along the way.Araujo did not play at all against India on Tuesday, but Iraola has now confirmed that the defender was simply rested, and is looking fine ahead of Sunday’s match.“I think in terms of travels and this, Ronald has played in Japan, Korea, India, but he’s in a good place,” said the Spaniard. “I think he has rested, he didn’t play the last game, so I think it’s good for us.“Alexis [Mac Allister] also was the last one to play, has come in a good place and obviously having all the options, especially in the back line, gives me options.