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# Andoni Iraola faces Victor Munoz decision as Liverpool debate midfield overhaul

- **Source:** 
- **Published:** 25 Aug
- **Club:** Liverpool
- **Original URL:** https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andoni-iraola-faces-victor-munoz-34509451

Iraola will now take charge of his first home Premier League game when Liverpool entertain Nottingham Forest at Anfield in the lunchtime game on Saturday.

And here we look ahead to the changes the Reds head coach could make when his team are next in action.

Defensive decision

With the transfer deadline approaching next Tuesday, this weekend represents the last time Liverpool will play before they have to finalise their squad for the first half of the season.

Assuming no arrivals are secured before the visit of Forest, Iraola appears to have little wriggle room regarding large parts of his starting XI.

There is scope, though, for rotation at centre-back. Jeremy Jacquet started alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at Newcastle but was replaced by fellow new signing Ronald Araujo midway through the second half. Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni remain out.

A poor performance from Milos Kerkez at Newcastle has put him under increased threat from Kostas Tsimikas at left-back, while on the other flank the injuries to Gomez and Conor Bradley mean the similarly under-par Jeremie Frimpong's only real challenger is Araujo being played out of his normal position.

In goal, Alisson Becker remains the first choice ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman.

Midfield change?

Szoboszlai would also be an option as No.10 instead of Florian Wirtz, the Germany international among too many Liverpool players off the pace against Newcastle.

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Harvey Elliott failed to make the bench at the weekend - most likely to safeguard against the situation last season that prevented him from taking on another loan having featured for both Liverpool and Aston Villa inside the opening weeks - while teenager Trey Nyoni still hasn't started a Premier League game.

James McConnell was on the bench at Newcastle, only the 21-year-old's second involvement in a top-flight matchday squad since April 2025.

Ngumoha under threat

With Liverpool still having failed to sign a new right-winger, Iraola rotated through a number of alternatives during pre-season before landing on Rio Ngumoha at Newcastle.

The teenager, though, found life difficult, with his replacement in the second half, new signing Victor Munoz, winning the late equalising penalty. The Spaniard is an option on both flanks, although Gakpo appears the man in possession on the left after a good performance on Sunday.

Alexander Isak is almost certain to continue as the chief central striker with Federico Chiesa not even among the substitutes at Newcastle, where youngster Lewis Koumas made his Premier League debut with a lively late cameo.

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