Liverpool fans fear Andoni Iraola ‘won’t last long’ after bizarre decision against LASK
Liverpool supporters were left surprised by a major decision Andoni Iraola made during the side’s Champions League league phase match against LASK.
Iraola took charge of his second Champions League match since taking the reins at Anfield this summer, having previously guided the side to a win over Atlético Madrid last time out in Europe’s premier club competition.
The Spaniard was without injured players Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexander Isak for the trip, forcing him to keep under-pressure Florian Wirtz in the starting XI. Summer recruit Bradley Barcola also got the nod at the Raiffeisen Arena.
Liverpool fans surprised by Andoni Iraola decision
Overall, Iraola made four changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Manchester City on Sunday (October 11), with Jeremie Frimpong, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Kostas Tsimikas all coming in.
Advert
Virgil van Dijk was rested, while Victor Munoz, Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister all made the substitutes’ bench.
But it was the decision to make Tsimikas captain for the night that surprised Liverpool supporters most.
The Greece international had made just one late appearance as a substitute so far this season before tonight’s clash, having spent last season on loan at Serie A club AS Roma.
And it’s fair to say several Liverpool fans were miffed by the call and thought Alisson should have been captain in Van Dijk’s absence, with several taking to X to voice their thoughts.
One said: “Tsimikas captaining LFC in a CL game is a genuine disgrace. If that’s the only option you have, I’d rather no one be captain on the pitch.”
Another added: “Kostas Tsimikas Liverpool Captain in the big 2026. I hope Richard Hughes stands on LEGO.”
A third commented: “But why would the back-up LB be captain over, for argument’s sake, Gravenberch? But it highlights how weak we are. Have a few injuries, and it filters down to Tsimikas being captain. Madness.”
A fourth claimed: “Tsimikas was loaned out to Roma last season having been deemed surplus to requirements. Tonight he captains us in a Champions League game. If that doesn’t tell you how bad our recruitment/squad building has been over the last three years, nothing will.”
A fifth said: “Kostas Tsimikas as captain when Gravenberch is on the field is exactly the reason Iraola won’t last long at Liverpool.”
READ MORE: Real reason behind Lisandro Martinez's explosive Man United interview revealed in bombshell report
Why won’t Andoni Iraola give Alisson the captaincy when Van Dijk isn’t playing?
During pre-season, Iraola explained why Alisson would not become captain if Van Dijk was not on the pitch.
“The captains will be Virgil, Alisson, Joe Gomez and Dom Szoboszlai,” he revealed.
“But I explained to Alisson especially that it’s not going to be possible that he wears the armband.
“With the new rules, there is a big limitation if a ‘keeper wears the armband.
“If something happens in the opposition’s box, the referee has to explain to the captains what is happening, all the decisions.
“I had one season with Neto [as captain] at Bournemouth, and then you have to start to, every game, say a different player who can act as a captain, and this is not viable.
“But I wanted [Alisson] to feel like we value him. I’ve had enough time – and we will have more time – to know each other, but I also had to explain the decision over the armband.
“He is a ‘keeper and, unfortunately, they are changing the rules in a way that there are a lot of disadvantages to having a ‘keeper as captain.”
Tsimikas may have silenced some critics with an assist for Ronald Araujo’s opener, before Barcola also netted his first two goals for the club during the first half.
Liverpool return to action away at Brentford on October 17.
Topics: Champions League, Football News, Premier League
Luke Davies