Andoni Iraola has a developing problem away from his midfield ahead of Liverpool vs Bournemouth
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Liverpool’s midfield has been perhaps the biggest issue for Andoni Iraola during the early part of his reign, although Tuesday’s win over Tottenham showed that there is a way forward.Alexis Mac Allister, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell looked like the most cohesive unit Iraola has put out so far, and if he can get Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai on the same page, the Liverpool head coach can definitely solve this problem.However, that will not be the end of the troubles for Iraola. Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Liverpool have a developing issue at left-backWhen Liverpool signed Kerkez from Bournemouth in 2025, it had looked like a no-brainer.
The Hungarian had been the best left-back in the Premier League in 2024/25 and had all the makings of an Andy Robertson.But while it has not all been bad, Kerkez has not kicked on from a difficult first season at Anfield, and though Iraola’s arrival was supposed to bring out the best in him, the 22-year-old has arguably looked even worse under his former boss so far.Kerkez deserves time, and there is every chance that he will still become the player everybody had hoped and expected he would for the Reds. Tsimikas proved once again that he is not up to the task of being a starter for Liverpool, showing that Iraola can’t really drop Kerkez, no matter the lows he plumbs.
6.READ MORE: Jamie Carragher explains why he’s beginning to change his mind about Andoni Iraola at LiverpoolAre there any other solutions for Liverpool?Tsimikas is not the only option Iraola could turn to if Kerkez continues to play poorly, even if he is the most natural. The England international has played consistently at left-back in the past, most notably under Jurgen Klopp during the 2023/24 campaign, and he could do a similar job to the one Ronald Araujo has done so well at right-back.Iraola hinted that Araujo himself would be ready to help out in a different position if needed during his pre-Bournemouth press conference on Friday, and if Liverpool do have to deploy the Uruguayan somewhere other than centre-back or right-back, left-back would be the likely spot.However, while either Gomez or Araujo would probably offer more solidity than Kerkez right now, having one on each side of the Liverpool defence would also limit the Reds in an attacking sense.During his Bournemouth days, Kerkez proved that he can offer plenty going forward while also keeping the door locked at the back.