Liverpool fans demand Andoni Iraola never try 'failed experiment' again after Villarreal game

Andoni Iraola has been told to permanently scrap an experiment he attempted during Liverpool's 4-3 win over Villarreal in the Champions League.

The Reds came from 2-0 down to draw level at 2-2 before half-time, with goals from Alexis Mac Allister - his second of the night at Anfield - and Florian Wirtz giving them the advantage and then extending it.

But the first half was far from acceptable for Liverpool fans and they have made their feelings clear on social media.

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Andoni Iraola called out over Liverpool decision vs Villarreal

Iraola shook up his team selection for the fixture, with the Reds having defeated Brentford 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.

He brought in Lewis Koumas for Alexander Isak up front and decided to rest Bradley Barcola, with Cody Gakpo returning to the side in his place.

But his biggest calls were to bring in Ryan Gravenberch and Trey Nyoni for Wirtz and the injured Dominik Szoboszlai.

Nyoni played in a deeper role, similar to the one Gravenberch would usually occupy, in the first half against Villarreal, with Gravenberch pushed further forward into attacking midfield.

Liverpool conceded within four minutes at Anfield, and were then 2-0 down on 29 minutes, with Iraola bringing Wirtz into attacking midfield for the second half and pushing Gravenberch into right-back.

Ryan Gravenberch played in attacking midfield and at right-back in Liverpool's 4-3 win over Villarreal (Image: Getty)

And fans were not shy in demanding that Iraola never again repeats the same selection decision when it comes to the Dutchman.

"I have no idea what Iraola sees in Gravenberch as a 10, his attributes are so wasted there, play him in a deeper role or not at all," one wrote.

"Gravenberch is no number 10?" another said.

"Said it first half, get Gravenberch out of the 10 and play changes completely. Fast, flowing attacking football," a third stated.

"Gravenberch [in the] 10. I've not seen a more lost footballer," a fourth wrote. "The day you people will respect Wirtz, maybe it's upon us."

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Liverpool question mark returns to the forefront after Villarreal win

While Liverpool did get over the line at Anfield in a Champions League match they will have been confident about winning, the first half performance raised a number of questions.

Iraola elected to rest some of his more senior players, with the likes of Isak, Barcola and Wirtz all surely in contention to start when Liverpool host Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.

But it will raise further concerns about the size of Liverpool's squad, with many fans already worried about their depth in certain positions.

With Szoboszlai out, Iraola was able to call on Wirtz and young midfielder James McConnell, but his only other squad option was 21-year-old Michael Laffey, who came through the Reds' youth system but has yet to make a senior appearance.

Joe Gomez's return has helped ease some defensive issues for Liverpool, but Jeremie Frimpong and winger Victor Munoz were both absent on Tuesday with injuries.