Iraola is gradually moulding his own Liverpool team – and Gravenberch is the one paying the price

It is still very early in Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool reign, but there are already signs that the Spaniard is beginning to mould the team in his own image.

One of the most interesting developments has come in midfield.

After starting the season with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch alongside Florian Wirtz against Newcastle, Iraola has now turned to Alexis Mac Allister alongside Szoboszlai – and the early signs suggest he may have found a midfield combination he trusts.

Mac Allister’s introduction against Nottingham Forest was significant. Gravenberch dropped to the bench, with the Argentine coming into the starting XI, and Iraola then kept faith with the same midfield at Ipswich.

That tells us something.

Iraola clearly values what Mac Allister brings to the side.

The Argentine is perhaps not the most physically imposing midfielder Liverpool have, but he brings something incredibly important: control. His positioning, intelligence and ability to receive the ball under pressure give Liverpool a different level of security in possession.

Iraola himself praised Mac Allister after the win at Ipswich, describing him as a “smart player” who understands positioning very well.

And alongside him, Szoboszlai can be allowed to play with more freedom.

That could be crucial.

Szoboszlai has always possessed the energy, athleticism and attacking instincts to influence games from midfield, but Liverpool looked dangerously open at times when both he and Gravenberch were pushing forward against Newcastle. The two midfielders were caught ahead of the ball when Liverpool conceded on the counter, exposing one of the major problems Iraola inherited.

Mac Allister potentially gives Iraola the balance he has been looking for.

He can sit deeper, dictate the tempo and make sure Liverpool aren’t simply leaving a huge hole in the middle of the pitch whenever they attack.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Gravenberch has suddenly become a bad player.

Far from it.

The Dutchman was an important part of Liverpool’s title-winning side and has enormous ability. But Iraola isn’t necessarily going to pick players based on reputation or what worked under Arne Slot. He is trying to build his Liverpool.

And that means some players who were previously automatic starters may have to adapt.

Gravenberch could be one of them.

The interesting thing is that Iraola isn’t completely closing the door on him. Gravenberch came on at Ipswich and helped Liverpool see out the game, while Iraola also pointed to the quality of the options available to him.

That may ultimately be Gravenberch’s role for now: an important squad player who can change games, rotate into midfield and provide fresh legs rather than being guaranteed a starting place every week.

And that is exactly what a manager needs when building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.

There is still plenty to work out.

Liverpool have only just begun the Iraola era, and the midfield will undoubtedly change depending on the opposition, injuries and the demands of individual matches. Iraola himself has stressed that different players will start depending on the opposition and their physical condition.

But the first few games are already giving us clues.

Mac Allister and Szoboszlai look like a partnership Iraola is increasingly comfortable with.

Wirtz gives him creativity further forward.

And Gravenberch suddenly finds himself having to fight for his place.

That’s football.

A new manager arrives, sees the squad with fresh eyes and decides what he believes his team needs.

Iraola isn’t simply inheriting Liverpool.

He’s gradually moulding them into his Liverpool.

And if Mac Allister and Szoboszlai continue to provide the balance, control and energy he appears to be looking for, Gravenberch may have to accept that his path back into the starting XI is going to be considerably harder than it was under the previous regime.

The good news for Liverpool is that this isn’t a weakness in squad depth.

It’s competition.

And with a long season ahead, having a player of Gravenberch’s quality waiting on the bench could prove to be a very valuable weapon.

Jamie (The Kopite View)