Iraola backs underfire Liverpool duo Barcola and Wirtz to deliver

The Liverpool manager defended both players after criticism of their performances, arguing that individual statistics do not always reflect their contribution to the team.

Barcola and Wirtz were expected to feature against LASK in Austria on Wednesday, with Liverpool missing Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai. The absent trio had scored eight of the club’s 11 goals in all competitions this season.

“It’s true that Cody, Alex and Dom are (together) our top scorers this season. They have also been the ones playing more in those positions and now we don’t have them,” Iraola said.

“We need other players to give us those numbers. We trust the players we have now to play in those positions. These injuries have been because of the international break and it will happen to other teams. It is a matter of adapting to these circumstances.”

Barcola and Wirtz had yet to score during the campaign, although Wirtz had registered an assist. Both faced renewed scrutiny following Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City at Anfield.

Iraola rejected the suggestion that their performances should be judged primarily by their output in the final third.

“With Bradley and Flo, they have had good games and bad games this season like everyone else. We know their level and we know they will give us good performances.”

He pointed to a chance involving Lewis Koumas against City as an example of how the assessment of a performance can change according to the outcome of a single attacking move.

“The other day (against Manchester City), if Lewis Koumas scores the goal that he connects with really well, then it is one assist for Bradley Barcola.

“His performance is exactly the same but we will all say ‘oof, he played really well with an assist’. Sometimes we focus only on the numbers.”

The Liverpool boss added: “With Bradley, the other day, he had good situations and we did not finish them. Bradley and Flo are players that I trust 100%.”

Wirtz attracted particular criticism after being substituted during the second half against City, but Iraola urged observers to assess his contribution in the wider context of the team’s performances.

“When you are at a big club like we are, when you don't have a good performance everyone starts looking for answers. The other day, he probably didn’t have his best game but he has had good games with us this season.”

Iraola also highlighted Wirtz’s performances for Germany, where he had scored during the international break.

“He had some good performances in the national team - he scored one goal and he will have better or worse games but I would like to look at it more collectively and more how they help us play well and get results, and after I don’t care which one scores. I think it’s a more collective thing.”

Liverpool were also without Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni, while Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa were not included in the club’s Champions League squad for the opening phase.

Iraola hoped Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai would return soon, although he could not confirm when they would be available.

“Probably the three of them are not far but I don’t know if they will be ready for Brentford or Villarreal or Brighton.”