Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Fulham as Andoni Iraola decides whether to risk Bradley Barcola
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The feel-good factor is slowly returning to Liverpool under Andoni Iraola, with the Basque still unbeaten after four matches in charge.The Reds have won their last two in all competitions, and go in search of a first Anfield Premier League win of the campaign as Fulham come to town on Saturday.Managed by former Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa, the Cottagers have lost all three of their Premier League matches so far. Who should start in Liverpool’s midfield against Fulham on Saturday?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC/Jan Jruger Defence – Liverpool unchanged as Ronald Araujo starts againThough they conceded from a rather lax piece of play, Liverpool were good defensively on the whole against Atletico.Alisson Becker played his part in that, making a fantastic, full-length stop from a Julian Alvarez strike, and the Brazilian will go again at the weekend.The right-back position is now equally as clear after Ronald Araujo emerged as a genuinely good option for Iraola. After another top performance in midweek, there is no reason the Uruguayan should not be picked once more.Jeremy Jacquet has made a hugely positive impression as well, and should partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, while Milos Kerkez needs to up his game, but is unlikely to be dropped at left-back.READ MORE: Andoni Iraola says he forbid Liverpool to sell one player only days after pre-season startedMidfield – Ryan Gravenberch remains on the benchOne of the biggest stories of Iraola’s time in charge so far has been the dropping of Ryan Gravenberch to the Liverpool bench.The Dutchman has been pushed out of the team by Alexis Mac Allister, and having seen the Argentine play well and blast home a winner against Atletico, he should expect bench duty again on Saturday.Dominik Szoboszlai should partner Mac Allister in midfield, with the Hungarian looking to build on a goal-scoring display in midweek.Meanwhile, though he himself did not score, and could not provide an assist, Florian Wirtz was good against Atletico and will hope to put in a similarly influential display here.Attack – Iraola chooses to leave Barcola outIf Liverpool are able to go unchanged in defence and midfield, the same is unfortunately not true up front.Iraola could, of course choose to play Barcola again after confirming that the Frenchman had been taken off in midweek with cramp, rather than a muscle injury, during Friday’s pre-match press conference.However, caution still needs to be taken here, and there is no real need for Liverpool to push Barcola again.
He should definitely play some part, maybe even from the bench at half-time, but a start would feel like an unnecessary risk.Iraola has also been downbeat on the prospect of Cody Gakpo being involved, meaning Liverpool will be heavily reliant on Alexander Isak finding the net. Without their first-choice options on either side, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha will be trusted with supplying the bullets for the Swede.Liverpool’s predicted XI vs FulhamJoin Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox