Following a frustrating goalless stalemate against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday, Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola finds himself with immediate selection dilemmas as the club pivots their attention to Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round showdown against Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite remaining unbeaten in his opening Premier League campaign, Iraola is under pressure to refine a squad that has dropped points in three of their first four league outings. With this cup tie representing the third match in just seven days for the Reds, rotation seems inevitable, yet the manager must balance the need for fresh legs with the imperative to build momentum.
The most significant question mark looms over the defensive line. Joe Gomez, who has been sidelined for six weeks, has returned to training and could provide a vital boost, potentially slotting in at right-back or central defense. With Jeremy Jacquet showing signs of fatigue during the late stages against Fulham, he is expected to be rested. This could see Ronald Araujo, who played right-back in the last two fixtures, shift into a central defensive role. If Gomez is not deemed fit to start, academy graduate Luke Chambers remains a candidate to step in.
In goal, a change is anticipated. With Alisson Becker historically rarely used in early League Cup rounds, summer arrival Giorgi Mamardashvili is the prime candidate to make his debut between the sticks, offering a fresh face for a backline in need of stability.
The midfield engine room, which faltered significantly against Fulham, is also ripe for an overhaul. The deep-lying pairing of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch has failed to click, and with Florian Wirtz struggling to impact games in the number 10 role, Iraola is considering a “complete change” in the middle. Alexis Mac Allister is pushing hard for a recall, while teenager Trey Nyoni—who impressed throughout pre-season—awaits his first competitive start under the new regime. Furthermore, Endo, who has remained an unused substitute throughout the opening weeks of the league campaign, could finally be given a platform to prove his worth.
Up front, the rotation theme continues. Cody Gakpo is on standby for a starting berth, likely featuring centrally should Alexander Isak be granted a rest. The versatile Lewis Koumas is also pushing for involvement, either out wide or as a creative outlet in the number 10 position. While Jayden Danns provides another youthful striking option, Federico Chiesa remains unavailable for selection as he continues his recovery from a persistent back injury.
Tuesday’s clash against Spurs offers Iraola a pivotal chance to silence critics and find a winning rhythm. Whether the head coach opts for wholesale changes or leans on his senior core will be the defining story of the team sheet at Anfield.
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