Andoni Iraola's Champions League Debut as Liverpool Coach
Andoni Iraola steps into the Champions League spotlight as Liverpool head coach for the first time tonight – and he does it under the Anfield lights against a familiar European nuisance in Atletico Madrid.
The stage is big. The opponent is awkward. The team news is significant.
Gakpo ruled out after late setback
Cody Gakpo had been the main question mark all week. He missed team training on Tuesday, with Liverpool initially playing down the concern and suggesting his absence was precautionary. By this evening, precaution has become omission: the 27-year-old is out of the squad entirely.
Gakpo, heavily linked with Manchester City during the summer, has started the season sharply. One goal and three assists in the Premier League, including both assists in the 2-0 win at Ipswich Town, had underlined his growing influence in Iraola’s attack.
The Liverpool boss revealed before kick-off that the forward picked up a minor adductor problem in that Ipswich game and the club have decided not to gamble with him.
“Cody finished the game the other day against Ipswich with some adductor issues. Both sides. Nothing specific. [It is] not a proper injury. But we didn’t want to risk him, and I think it makes sense he can rest and hope we can recover him. If it’s not for the weekend, it’s for the next one. But I think even for the weekend he has a chance,” Iraola told TNT Sports.
The hope, then, is that Gakpo will be available for Fulham at the weekend, or failing that, the following fixture. For tonight, Liverpool must do without one of their form players.
Barcola handed first Liverpool start
Gakpo’s absence opens the door for Bradley Barcola, who makes his first start for Liverpool in the Champions League and his first start for the club overall. The France forward comes straight into the XI for this league-phase opener at Anfield as Iraola tweaks the side that beat Ipswich on Friday.
Rio Ngumoha is the other change, with Victor Munoz dropping to the bench. It is a bold selection for a first Champions League outing as Liverpool head coach, but it fits the aggressive, front-foot style Iraola has been trying to imprint.
Liverpool’s recent record against Diego Simeone’s side offers encouragement. After winning just one of their first six meetings with Atletico since 2008, the Reds have now taken three victories in a row against the Spanish club. Anfield expects that run to continue, and Iraola’s team sheet suggests he is not in the mood to simply feel his way into Europe.
Injury list still bites
Behind the excitement of a new European campaign, Liverpool’s injury list still bites into Iraola’s options.
Hugo Ekitike remains a long-term absentee as he continues his recovery from the serious Achilles injury he suffered in April. Joe Gomez, out since pulling his hamstring in the opening minutes of Liverpool’s first pre-season game, has finally returned to full training, rejoining the group on Tuesday. Even so, he does not make the squad tonight and will have to wait for his competitive return.
Conor Bradley is still sidelined with the knee injury he sustained in January, while Giovanni Leoni continues his rehabilitation from a knee problem suffered last September.
Federico Chiesa has yet to feature this season and was left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad entirely, a decision mirrored in midfield with Wataru Endo, who is also unavailable for the competition.
So Iraola walks into his first Champions League night at Anfield without several big names, leaning on fresh faces and early-season form against a hardened European operator in Simeone.
For a new Liverpool era, there are easier opening acts.
