Andoni Iraola's dream Liverpool starting XI as trio dropped for £164million signings
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Iraola's aggressive front-foot style of playing is a stark contrast to the possession-based side Slot transformed Liverpool into.The Dutchman usually used a 4-3-3 formation with Iraola preferring a 4-2-3-1 system - or a 4-4-2 structure at times - with the onus of pressing high and winning back possession quickly - a key aspect of Jurgen Klopp's gegenpressing principle.With Liverpool expected to welcome several new signings this summer, Mirror Football takes a look at the ideal starting XI Iraola would like to begin his Liverpool tenure with next season.GoalkeeperQuestions surrounding Alisson Becker's future has been strife but should he stay at Anfield, he'll undoubtedly continue in his role as Liverpool's number one under Iraola. The Dutchman's connection with Andy Robertson contributed heavily to their success as he'll need to continue developing his relationship with Milos Kerkez at left-back.The 22-year-old endured a tough start to his Liverpool career but slowly grew in his role throughout the season.
Reuniting with his former Cherries boss can only benefit the Hungary international as he looks to follow in the footsteps of Robertson.Question marks on who'll start at right-back in Liverpool's first game of the season remain. With Iraola preferring to play two in midfield, Alexis Mac Allister drops out as the Spaniard would prefer the size and work rate that both Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai provide.Gravenberch was afforded more license to attack under Slot this year and while he was more productive in scoring goals and providing assists, his lack of defensive responsibility hurt Liverpool at the other end of the pitch.The Dutchman could be asked to play the role of controller as he did in his first season under Slot, with Szoboszlai remaining the box-to-box machine where he flourishes the most.
Capable of playing on the left side of attack, the freedom the Bournemouth attackers received could result in the German establishing himself as one of the elite players in the league.The opportunity to attack half-spaces, combine with his team-mates in the final third and make late runs into the box could be just what Wirtz needed after a less-than-ideal first season at Anfield.Hugo Ekitike could very well have locked up a place in Iraola's first game given his ability to press from the front, but with his ACL injury likely to rule him out for the first half of the season, up steps Alexander Isak.The Swede endured a nightmare debut campaign in Merseyside with just four goals scored in 22 games. His first World Cup beckons this month as he'll hope to return to the heights that led the Reds to fork out a British record fee of £125million last September.The 26-year-old may not be the world's greatest at leading the press but his ability in front of goal cannot be understated in a team that will be losing the greatest goal-scoring winger in Premier League history.Dream Liverpool starting XIAlisson; Dumfries, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Diomande, Wirtz, Ngumoha; IsakJoin our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.