Andoni Iraola’s New Vision for Liverpool’s Attack Post-Mohamed Salah

Since Mohamed Salah's departure, Liverpool have been reshaping their attack under manager Andoni Iraola. The focus has shifted dramatically from the right flank to the left, with new signing Bradley Barcola becoming the main goal threat.

Life Without Salah at Anfield

It’s been just over two months since Salah left Liverpool, and the club is still adjusting. Iraola is implementing a new tactical plan rather than simply replacing Salah on the right wing. Instead, the spotlight moves leftward, where Barcola, one of the club’s costliest acquisitions, takes centre stage. Coming from Paris Saint-Germain, Barcola impressed last season with 13 goals and 7 assists. Although right-footed, he prefers cutting inside from the left side, effectively reversing the role once held by Salah.

Balancing the Wings: The Right Side Challenge

With Barcola commanding the left, Liverpool face a puzzle on the right flank. Their squad includes four left wingers but lacks natural right-wing players after the summer transfer window closed. Teenage talent Rio Ngumoha struggled playing right wing against Newcastle, while Cody Gakpo showed only moderate success versus Nottingham Forest. Iraola believes the new addition Víctor Munoz might offer the ideal option on the right wing.

"Víctor has played mostly on the left during his career, but perhaps he’s even better on the right," Iraola said before their Premier League match against Ipswich Town.

Developing Young Talent on the Right

Despite Munoz fitting in quickly, Iraola is committed to nurturing younger players like Ngumoha in the unfamiliar right-wing role. The manager expects growth with experience and remains optimistic about Ngumoha’s potential.

"We know Rio can play on the left and has shown his qualities," Iraola noted. "He needs to develop on the right to have more options. He is very young. Just because his first game on the right wasn’t outstanding doesn’t mean he won’t play there again."

Fitting the Attack Around Alexander Isak

The evolving system will be tested in their upcoming Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town. Iraola must quickly find balance to keep the offense sharp. A more traditional right winger could benefit striker Alexander Isak, who excels as a physical presence in the penalty box and relies on accurate service to score.

Cody Gakpo remains important despite interest from clubs like Manchester City and Tottenham. The Dutch winger will continue fighting for minutes as Liverpool navigate this new attacking era.

• Premier League Match: Ipswich Town vs Liverpool
• Date & Time: 4 Sept 2026, 21:00