Andoni Iraola must change Liverpool star's position, he has no choice

Andoni Iraola faces a challenging situation with Liverpool, where he must alter the position of one of their star players. The primary reason behind this decision is an injury suffered by defender Virgil van Dijk, which has left Iraola with limited options for continuity. While the exact extent of van Dijk's injury remains unclear, it is reported to be a hamstring problem that has led to his absence from France's final match against Belgium.

Manager Andoni Iraola is under pressure to find a suitable replacement for van Dijk, as Liverpool cannot afford another extended absence from their squad, particularly given their already depleted depth. The club is currently working on the recoveries of Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni from their own injuries, and adding another prolonged absence would be detrimental to their preparations for the upcoming matches, including the high-profile fixture against Manchester City.

In light of these circumstances, Ronald Araujo, who has been an effective right-back for Liverpool this season, may need to assume the role of a center-back against their next opponents. While Araujo has proven his capabilities in the right-back position, the Reds may find it necessary to deploy him in a more central role to compensate for the absence of van Dijk. Jeremie Frimpong could then step into the right-back position, even though it is not the ideal setup that Liverpool would prefer.

The long-term strategy suggests that Araujo should be given sufficient time at center-back to ensure that van Dijk fully recovers from his injury. The worst-case scenario would involve rushing van Dijk back prematurely, which could potentially aggravate his hamstring problem and keep him out of the team for an extended period. This outcome would have a significant and detrimental impact on Liverpool's season.

Therefore, Iraola is compelled to make use of Araujo's versatility in this particular match against Manchester City, despite the potential weakness it might pose. While this decision may result in a less balanced lineup against City, Liverpool might not have the luxury of taking any other risk in the current circumstances.