Liverpool's 'real issue' highlighted as Andoni Iraola sent transfer message

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SportFootballLiverpool FCNew Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has been urged to reassess his centre-back options - including captain Virgil van DijkAndoni Iraola has been told to sort the "real issue" in Liverpool's team at the heart of their defence with questions being asked of captain Virgil van Dijk.The Reds leaked 53 goals in the top flight last season - their most in a single 38-game Premier League campaign - as a disappointing fifth-place finish contributed to the sacking of Arne Slot as head coach.New boss Iraola's centre-back options have been compromised by the departure of Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid on a free transfer and the ongoing absence of teenager Giovanni Leoni as he recovers from a long-term knee injury, but £60million 21-year-old Jeremy Jacquet has arrived from Rennes.And former England international Chris Waddle believes the Reds must further strengthen their rearguard during the transfer window while move away from being reliant on 35-year-old Van Dijk, who started every Premier League and Champions League game for Liverpool last season."Andoni Iraola has done a marvellous job, nobody can question what he achieved at Bournemouth," said Waddle."He likes to play on the front foot and, as a good tactician, he prefers an attacking style that suits the way Liverpool play and what their fans want to see. If they can strengthen that, there's no reason why Liverpool can't challenge again this season."Van Dijk obviously still has a big influence on the Liverpool squad, so you might keep him for another year and use him in specific games.

But again, if he's performing well, you play him. All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page"He’s not going to get any quicker.

I thought that last year, regardless of who his centre-half partner was, they struggled."Speaking to OLBG, Waddle also believes Iraola can extract the best out of Milos Kerkez, who he worked with at Bournemouth before the left-back joined Liverpool last summer."I never thought that the defensive side of Milos Kerkez’s game was the greatest, but his energy levels and use of the ball going forward have always been great," he said."Iraola knows how he wants to play. I'm sure that's what he'll be doing and I think we’ll see a new player."Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FC