Four Reds on the brink: Iraola’s early calls leave big names sweating
Andoni Iraola returned to the Vitality and pinched a tight 1-0 for Liverpool, outfoxing his old Bournemouth lot thanks to Alexander Isak’s fourth of the season on 56 minutes. Two wins from five and still unbeaten — not bad going — but just as telling as the scoreline is the manager’s emerging pecking order. Make no mistake: Gravenberch, Frimpong, Chiesa and Endo are on notice under Iraola.
If you’re eyeing a flutter on where Liverpool’s season heads next, have a look at the best betting sites — but here’s what the gaffer’s early selections are screaming about four big names.
Ryan Gravenberch — from mainstay to maybe
Signed in 2023 and quickly central to Jurgen Klopp’s plans, Ryan Gravenberch has racked up 143 appearances and pocketed both a Premier League medal and a Carabao Cup along the way. Under Arne Slot he often anchored midfield superbly. Under Iraola, though, he’s slipped from first pick to impact sub. He’s featured in every league game so far but started only twice, including a short cameo again at Bournemouth as Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai look the preferred pairing. One injury could change his luck overnight, but right now he’s squad depth rather than a nailed-on starter.
Jeremie Frimpong — big shoes, bigger questions
Arriving from Bayer Leverkusen with the brief of stepping into the Trent Alexander-Arnold role, Jeremie Frimpong has yet to convince that he can boss the Premier League’s physical tempo. We’ve even seen him pushed higher up on the right to tease out his attacking spark. The problem? New arrival Ronald Araújo has locked down right-back, and Szoboszlai has even filled in there — a brutal indicator of the pecking order. Three league outings, two starts, and not enough authority to make the shirt his. Unless he finds a defensive edge quickly, this one feels like a short marriage.
Federico Chiesa — promise paused, opportunity passing
When Federico Chiesa came in for a sensible fee, it looked a classic Liverpool market steal. Instead it’s been stop-start, mostly stop. He struggled for rhythm under Slot, and injuries — now a back issue — have choked off momentum under Iraola. Even when fit, the road back is steep: Bradley Barcola’s £110m summer arrival, Cody Gakpo staying put and Rio Ngumoha’s steady rise crowd the wide positions Chiesa calls home. If he can’t put a run together soon, a parting of ways feels more practical than painful.
Wataru Endo — neat and tidy, but surplus to requirements?
Wataru Endo has always profiled as a reliable squad operator rather than a centrepiece. This season he’s been on the bench for four straight league matches and didn’t even travel for the Bournemouth win. He hasn’t played a minute so far and was omitted from Liverpool’s Champions League list for the first half of the campaign. Iraola put it bluntly (per This Is Anfield): there are “a lot of players” ahead of him in that role — he name-checked Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Trey Noni — while insisting Endo will still have moments. You wouldn’t bet your house on those moments being plentiful.
Bottom line
Iraola’s Liverpool are taking shape: more direct, more defined, and with little patience for passengers. For Gravenberch, Frimpong, Chiesa and Endo, the path back into the inner circle likely needs injuries elsewhere or a dramatic swing in form. Otherwise, January could be lively.
Statistics referenced courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 20-09-26.
