5 Andoni Iraola press conference lessons - new vice-captain and problem position

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We need as many as we can [get]. In terms of the decisions we take, a lot of players [will be looked at]."Right-back concernsRight-back has been a problem position over the past year for Liverpool, as injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong has left the team light on options.Iraola claimed that any move for a player in that position will depend on the fitness of those key players, as he claimed: "It depends on Conor's situation, a healthy Conor Bradley we are ready to go and we don't ask these questions [of a new right-back] because we trust him and he is our right-back but he is still far from returning.

We definitely need to sign a winger."It sent another clear message that the head coach wants to focus on improvements to the team, especially with the relative lack of depth through injuries and key sales.The mention of a winger is another key point, as Liverpool continues to delay on a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah in the market, after missing out on Yan Diomande.Players stayingSeveral first-team stars have been linked with exits this summer, with Alisson Becker and Alexis Mac Allister among those suggested as candidates for a move away.Alisson was the subject of interest from Juventus, but after the Reds seemingly turned down a move from the Italian side, focus has been on keeping the goalkeeper."We have a situation right now, I think we have Alisson, Giorgi [Mamardashvili], now we have Armin [Pesci], keepers who go out and have the guarantee of those keepers who have already [been here]," Iraola explained."He [Alisson] is someone with experience who will definitely help us with the adaptation of new signings, we need references like Alisson, who've been here a long time."It certainly suggested that the manager was keen to keep hold of the experienced goalkeeper, who is now into the final year of his contract with Liverpool.Another player who has a dwindling deal is Mac Allister, who is into the final two years under contract, and faces a huge decision over his future moving forward.Links with a transfer to Real Madrid have emerged, though his father shot down suggestions of a move to the club, and doubts still remain about his time at Anfield in the future.Iraola defended the future of the midfield ace and said: "I think Alexis has been one of the best at this club in years, look at the World Cup, it's normal other clubs want the best players."Other clubs want my good players but I am looking to sign players than lose the ones we have here."Pre-season returns and injuriesLiverpool's pre-season return has come in a way that is far from smooth, due to a mixture of the World Cup impacting when players return, along with the injury issues within the team.Iraola shed plenty of light on when his players would be available over the coming weeks, starting with the players who are recovering from injury."We have some players with big, big injuries, so they have to recover," he explained. They will start partially with the group."The others, we have to wait.

The last two we are talking about months."As for other players, the manager revealed that Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ryan Gravenberch will be back in the second week of the pre-season tour, as he said: "The three players will join us in the second week."We have decided now with some who have been left out now since the World Cup. I think the sooner we can start working with them, they can understand what we want, the better.