Liverpool Round-Up, Tuesday 13th October: Iraola Backs Wirtz and Barcola as Injury-Hit Squad Heads to LASK
Liverpool have travelled to Austria for Wednesday's Champions League trip to LASK, with airport and training photos showing the squad already out there preparing for the tie (LiverpoolFC.com) (LiverpoolFC.com). A 23-man travelling party has been confirmed, with Jayden Danns included but Dominik Szoboszlai still missing, while Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are also absent (LiverpoolFC.com) (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo). Andoni Iraola addressed the media in Austria and gave an update on the injured trio, saying they are "not far" from a return, though he later admitted it is doubtful they will be ready even for the following game against Brentford (Liverpool Echo) (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield) (Liverpool.com) (This Is Anfield). The head coach also hinted at rotation for the LASK match, saying it would be "difficult to name exact same XI" after recent games, while This Is Anfield's predicted line-up piece weighs up whether he goes strong or makes six changes (This Is Anfield) (This Is Anfield). LiverpoolFC.com have also published their usual opposition lowdown and team news previews ahead of kick-off (LiverpoolFC.com) (LiverpoolFC.com) (This Is Anfield) (LiverpoolFC.com).
Iraola used his press duties to give a strong vote of confidence to Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola, insisting he is "100 per cent" trusting of the pair despite their struggles for form, while calling on other players to step up and contribute more (Liverpool Echo) (Sky Sports) (Liverpool Echo) (The Guardian) (Liverpool.com) (BBC Sport). Defender Milos Kerkez also spoke about the LASK game, his relationship with Barcola, and playing under Iraola for a second time having previously worked with him at Bournemouth (LiverpoolFC.com) (Liverpool Echo). Elsewhere, former Reds forward Michael Owen gave his own verdict on Wirtz, insisting he remains convinced the German will "come good" and is a "top player", while also suggesting Barcola could face "questions" if his performances do not improve (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool.com). The Wirtz debate continues elsewhere too, with a Liverpool fan featured by the BBC arguing the midfielder "needs help" to succeed, as the BBC also ask whether he needs to be dropped (BBC Sport) (BBC Sport). Three things spotted in a recent open training session were also said to offer hints over Iraola's thinking on Wirtz and Barcola's selection (Liverpool.com).
There has been continued fallout from Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield. Enzo Maresca has defended his players' post-match celebrations, asking "what do you want us to do?" and saying he is not sorry for how his side reacted (This Is Anfield) (Sky Sports) (BBC Sport) (BBC Sport). Liverpool.com report that Virgil van Dijk and his team-mates had apparently chosen an Anfield playlist featuring digs aimed at City, with the backdrop of the club's recent guilty verdict adding extra needle to the occasion (Liverpool.com). Looking back at the game itself, analysis from the Liverpool Echo argues Ryan Gravenberch still took a significant step forward despite being sent off, with Liverpool having looked the better side before his dismissal (Liverpool Echo).
On the transfer front, Liverpool are reported to be showing interest in a Bundesliga player valued at more than €70 million, though as with all such stories this remains speculation at this stage (LiverpoolFC.com). The Echo also report a claim that "everyone in France knows" Liverpool paid double Bradley Barcola's true value when they signed him (Liverpool Echo). Elsewhere, Liverpool.com report Bournemouth would only be open to a January sale of Alex Scott for around £100 million (This Is Anfield). There is also comment from Liverpool.com urging patience with Iraola, arguing he needs time to build a cohesive squad rather than facing comparisons to the opportunity previously missed with Xabi Alonso (Liverpool.com).
Away from the pitch, the Echo report Man City's rule breaches are said to have cost Liverpool and Everton a combined £118.7 million, with both clubs still awaiting clarity following City's appeal (Liverpool Echo). This Is Anfield also report that the head of the football regulator has vowed to quit if the government interferes in the Man City case (This Is Anfield). In other news, Jamie Carragher has avoided bankruptcy after settling an outstanding HMRC tax bill, with a judge formally dismissing the petition against him (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool Echo). The Echo also report Liverpool are hopeful of finally being given the go-ahead for more flexibility to host major concerts, such as Taylor Swift-style gigs, at Anfield (Liverpool Echo). Finally, the Echo note the timing of Mohamed Salah's prolific form for Trabzonspor, coming at an awkward moment for Iraola given his side's current shortage of attacking options (Liverpool Echo).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.