Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is standing by new signings Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz despite their failure to score. The manager expressed his confidence in the duo while speaking in Linz ahead of a Champions League fixture against LASK.

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The £239 million weight on Barcola and Wirtz

Liverpool's offensive struggles have centereed on the lack of production from Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz. Despite a combined transfer fee of £239 million, the two players have yet to find the back of the net this season. This lack of output has already drawn scrutiny, particularly flolowing a high-profile match against Manchester City where the duo struggled to make an impact.

Manager Andoni Iraola remains steadfast in his support for the duo, emphasizing that moments of brilliance are often overshadowed by immediate numerical results. As the report notes, Iraola believes that providing the right settings for success is vital for the individual development of these high-priced acquisitions.

An injury crisis sidelining Isak, Gakpo, and Szoboszlai

The current goal drought is exacerbated by a significant injury list at Anfield. With key attacking options such as Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai all sidelined, the burden of offensive production has shifted heavily onto the remaining available players. According to the source, the club has only managed 12 goals so far this year, with nine of those coming from a specific trio of contributors.

This statistical reality places immense pressure on the new signings to step up. The club's ability to rebound depends on whether the current squad can bridge these talent gaps while waiting for their star attackers to return to fitness.

Steven Gerrard’s 4-3-2-1 tactical recommendation

Former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has weighed in on the situation, suggesting that it is premature to judge the young Florian Wirtz. During a recent appearance on The Overlap Daily show, Gerrard argued that the teenager requires more support from both the coaching staff and seasoned teammates to flourish.

Gerrard's tactical assessment includes a recommendation for a 4-3-2-1 formation. In this setup, Wirtz would occupy a pivotal role positioned between the midfield and the attack , a move designed to maximize his creative potential and help him adapt to the team's playing style.

Will the duo deliver before Brentford and Brighton arrive?

Several questions remain regarding how quickly Liverpool can resolve its scoring issues. While Iraola insists the breakthrough is "not far," it remains unclear if the coaching staff will alter their tactical approach to accommodate the injured stars or continue relying on the expensive new signings to find their rhythm. Additionally,the source does not clarify how the club's executive board views the recent criticism following the Manchester City fixture.

The ucpoming Champions League clash against Austria's LASK serves as a crittical litmus test for this developmental strategy. If Barcola and Wirtz fail to produce, the club faces a difficult stretch of fixtures against Brentford, Villarreal, and Brighton without a proven scoring threat.