Liverpool starlet shares bold message after answering Andoni Iraola problem

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.

SportFootballLiverpool FCLuke Chambers was tasked with filling in at centre-back against Wrexham with Liverpool currently short on options at the heart of defenceLuke Chambers has revealed what Andoni Iraola said to him before the 22-year-old answered Liverpool’s call at centre-back against Wrexham in their latest pre-season friendly.The defender partnered Ifeanyi Ndukwe at centre-back against the Red Dragons before being withdrawn for Mor Talla Ndiaye shortly after Rio Ngumoha’s 75th minute winner in the 1-0 victory in New York.With club captain Virgil van Dijk starting his own pre-season schedule back at the AXA Training Centre earlier this week, the Reds were already short at the heart of defence after seeing Ibrahima Konate leave the club at the end of his contract to join Real Madrid.Meanwhile, Liverpool are managing new signing Jeremy Jacquet carefully following a lengthy absence with a dislocated shoulder, while Giovanni Leoni is not yet fit to return after injuring his ACL last September.But Andoni Iraola’s defensive options dwindled further in the Reds’ opening pre-season friendly against Sunderland when Joe Gomez was forced off injured after just eight minutes - leaving teenagers Ndukwe and Ndiaye - both new arrivals in recent months - as the Spaniard’s only available natural centre-back options over in the United States.Iraola resisted starting the two youngsters together against Wrexham as he instead tasked Chambers - who is naturally a left-back and played four times for the Liverpool first team under Jurgen Klopp - in a more central role.The 22-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship side Charlton Athletic, does boast previous limited experience at centre-back from temporary stints at Wigan Athletic and Kilmarnock, as well as his time in the Liverpool academy.As a result, he was not fazed by being fielded in a lesser favoured role against Wrexham after being turned to by new head coach Iraola.“[Iraola] just said to play my game,” Chambers told the club. “He’s seen me in training, he knows what I’m like at left-back.“I can read the game really well so I kind of take that into playing centre-back.

So, just do what I normally do at left-back but just move it in a little bit.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! Obviously, much appreciated to the gaffer having the trust to put me in at left centre-back.“It’s not my main position, but obviously when I get older and my career goes on, hopefully I can link more positions to my game.“Playing centre-back is quite tough, especially against opposition that are a good Championship side.

I thought I did well.”Having spent time on loan in the Championship last season, Chambers, who was praised by Iraola for his performance at centre-back, is hoping to push on beyond such a level in the campaign ahead.“I got my first taste of Championship minutes last year, so a base for tests like this and to show that I’m at this level,” he said. “Hopefully I can push on past that level.“It’s just about showing myself and showcasing what I can do in my skillset.