Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is weighing tactical changes, including a potential shift for Ronald Araujo, as the squad prepares to face Fenerbahce in Istanbul following a Premier League defeat to Arsenal.
Liverpool travel to Turkey to meet Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, seeking an immediate response after their five-match winning run across all competitions was halted by a home defeat to league champions Arsenal. Having won all three of their matches in the tournament so far, the Reds aim to lock down a spot in the knockout rounds ahead of schedule.
Andoni Iraola Weighs Defensive Shifts and Heavy Rotation
The upcoming European fixture marks the eighth match in a demanding stretch of nine games over 29 days. Iraola made seven changes for the weekend fixture against Arsenal and is expected to continue rotating his lineup heavily against Fenerbahce.
Andoni Iraola and a first-team player will speak to the media at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium tomorrow ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Fenerbahçe. The live stream is scheduled for 3.15pm, although the press conference time is yet to be confirmed and there could be…
Alisson Becker remains the first-choice goalkeeper despite a mistake that contributed to Arsenal’s winner, with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman positioned behind him. Across the backline, further overhauls are anticipated. Kostas Tsimikas, who has contributed three assists in his past two Champions League starts, is pressing Milos Kerkez at left-back. Meanwhile, Luke Chambers has established himself as a regular bench option in the competition.
Joe Gomez and the returning Dominik Szoboszlai provide alternative options at right-back should Ronald Araujo be moved or rested. Jeremie Frimpong remains unavailable until after the international break, and Conor Bradley has been sidelined since January. In central defense, either Jeremy Jacquet or Virgil van Dijk has been benched in two of the last three midweek matches.
Ronald Araujo’s Tactical Utility and Set-Piece Impact
Araujo has established himself as a key figure since arriving on loan from Barcelona in the summer. Operating primarily at right-back due to injuries and form concerns in the squad, the defender has drawn praise from his manager for shoring up the team’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Aside from Conor Gallagher’s consolation header past Giorgi Mamardashvili during Tottenham’s Carabao Cup loss at Anfield in September, which marks their only overall concession, Liverpool have kept a clean sheet on every set-piece they have faced in the Premier League. Iraola credits assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper alongside club analysts, while noting the physical presence of the 6-foot-3 defender.
It definitely helps having a centre-back at right-back when we talk about defending set pieces. It helps with the height and the physicality of the team.
Rio Ngumoha’s Development Amid Standby Role and Contract Talks
As the squad prepares for Istanbul, Rio Ngumoha remains a likely starter in Europe, having featured in the starting XI for every Champions League fixture this term. The teenager has quickly risen through the ranks since arriving from Chelsea’s academy in 2024, recently becoming the third-youngest England international of all time in a competitive fixture behind Jude Bellingham and Wayne Rooney.
With contract negotiations underway at Anfield, Iraola has urged caution regarding the escalating outside attention surrounding the forward.
I think every player has to focus on performances, on keeping doing well and improving the things he can improve. The outside noise, when it’s good, when it’s bad, I think it affects – obviously – but we have to therefore not be affected by those things.
Iraola emphasized that the young player must be allowed room to experience natural performance fluctuations without unsustainable expectations being imposed.
Midfield and Attack Options for the Istanbul Trip
In midfield, the return of Szoboszlai, alongside Ryan Gravenberch, provides options in deeper roles if Alexis Mac Allister is rested, with James McConnell also available.
While Federico Chiesa is omitted from the Champions League squad and Hugo Ekitike remains sidelined, Iraola still has multiple attacking choices at his disposal. Despite being named among the substitutes for every European fixture this season, Jayden Danns has not made a senior appearance for over 12 months.