What is already clear about Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak under Andoni Iraola at Liverpool
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Liverpool played their best football when the two of them got on the ball in forward areas, and if they can take that into the season, the Reds have a real chance of doing something special. As happened against Leeds during Liverpool’s previous friendly, Iraola‘s team fell apart when Wirtz and Isak came off.Perhaps it was not only down to the removal of Liverpool’s two most expensive ever signings, but the Reds looked completely and utterly toothless going forward after the 60th minute on Sunday.
9 together, Iraola must work out how to ensure the system does not fall apart without them too.Iraola must find Wirtz and Isak alternativesOne of the biggest problems for Arne Slot last season was that he simply was not able to get Wirtz and Isak on the pitch together anything like enough.In the few moments they did share, the two players obviously could not develop any kind of substantial understanding. Though this is obviously great news for supporters, it does open up the question of who can take their places when they inevitably miss games.Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesWirtz is a fairly robust footballer, but he wasn’t always available last season, and regardless of any fitness problems, he is not going to play every single game.Isak’s injuries, meanwhile, are well documented, and Liverpool have already seen the dangers of having to rely on him for a full season.
Hugo Ekitike is obviously there, but will not be around for some time, meaning Iraola must find somebody else who can effectively step into the Swede’s shoes whenever he is absent.Who are Liverpool’s current options?Iraola does have players who can, in theory, do these jobs, but the drop in quality id currently far too big.Harvey Elliott could find his place as Wirtz’s back-up, but the 23-year-old has looked well off the pace in pre-season, culminating with a poor performance against Monaco.Dominik Szoboszlai could also fill that role, but the Hungarian is nothing like a straight swap for Wirtz, and Liverpool could really do with him playing deeper in midfield anyway.Perhaps Iraola will see Alexis Mac Allister as a No. Liverpool cannot be dropping off quite so alarmingly when they lose two players during the season.