Is This Liverpool's Biggest Problem Right Now?
Dave Davis and David Lynch round off Media Matters by assessing the opening weeks of Andoni Iraola's Liverpool reign and asking whether the new head coach is getting closer to discovering his strongest side.
Three consecutive clean sheets have provided one of the biggest positives. Lynch admits he did not expect Iraola to make Liverpool so difficult to break down this quickly, particularly given the attacking reputation he brought from Bournemouth. That defensive solidity offers encouraging evidence that Iraola is prepared to prioritise results rather than become wedded to one particular style.
However, Florian Wirtz remains a major talking point. His Champions League performance against Atlético Madrid impressed, but Lynch believes the German still has to demonstrate his best consistently in the Premier League. The verdict remains very much open, with plenty of time for Wirtz to answer those early questions
That feeds directly into Iraola's biggest tactical puzzle: Liverpool's midfield. Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Trey all provide different possibilities, and it remains unclear exactly which combination Iraola ultimately prefers.
Lynch believes the back four and likely front three are becoming clearer, but the midfield means Iraola may not yet know his strongest XI.
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