Angus is an experienced football journalist at Football FanCast, specialising in Premier League reporting, opinion writing and in-depth football analysis. Since graduating from Southampton Solent University in 2022, he has developed extensive experience covering the English game, producing thousands of articles across a wide range of clubs and competitions.  

Before joining Football FanCast, Angus led VAVEL's Brighton & Hove Albion department, gaining valuable experience in club-specific reporting and editorial leadership. He subsequently joined Football FanCast through Snack Media's academy, now part of Valnet, and has progressed into the publication's Opinions and Features team.
 

As one of Football FanCast's longest-serving writers, Angus has covered numerous major developments across the Premier League, combining breaking news experience with detailed features and considered opinions. His work draws on years of reporting to provide context behind performances, transfer activity and the wider issues shaping English football.

Liverpool have already been defeated twice at Anfield in the Premier League this season: against champions Arsenal and perennial contenders Manchester City.

These are the two sternest outfits in the division, and Liverpool failed to score on both occasions. Andoni Iraola deserves time, and has actually made a pretty decent start to his tenure, but it would be remiss to glaze over the problems that persist at the club after last year's shocking decline under Arne Slot.

Things are looking a bit more positive, though. However, if Liverpool hope to win titles and return to the very top of the European tree, they need to make some improvements going forward.

The biggest problems facing Andoni Iraola

Liverpool are struggling to create chances in the Premier League. This is what happens when you lose two superstars such as Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold down the right wing and fail to effectively replace them.

On paper, Liverpool have one of Europe's most formidable strikeforces. Bradley Barcola has joined Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo in attack, with the young Rio Ngumoha breaking onto the scene.

Behind such forwards stands Florian Wirtz, whose name is spoken more frequently and more loudly than almost all others in the Premier League. After joining the Anfield side from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m last summer, the German playmaker has flattered to deceive, and his rise in form could be the game-changer for Iraola and his system.

Wirtz and the rest of Liverpool's creatives need to start making things happen. It is inexcusable that Coventry City are the only side to have created less than them in the Premier League this term.

Liverpool need Wirtz to start looking forward, but they also need their midfield, in that case, to operate more fluently and securely. They need players like Alexis Mac Allister to step up.

How Alexis Mac Allister is improving under Iraola

Mac Allister, 27, fell by the wayside last season, but he has picked himself up since the summer, making small changes under Iraola's management which have allowed him to return to form, dictating and influencing in attack while adding a combative layer of protection too.

Given that FSG opted against signing a high-quality midfielder this summer, Mac Allister's bounce-back to life has been pivotal. Liverpool needed him to return to the kind of form that helped them to the Carabao Cup and a Premier League title across his first two seasons.

It's not like Mac Allister has enjoyed a real upswing in the creative department since Liverpool's managerial switch. However, he is more certain about his game, more accurate in the duel, more mobile, more convincing when carrying the ball forward.

Mac Allister is one of the Premier League's most talented midfielders. He has done a lot for Liverpool. However, the Reds could sign themselves an upgrade in 2027.

Liverpool in talks to sign Mac Allister upgrade

Mac Allister is out of contract in 2028, and recent rumours have linked him with a move away to Real Madrid. While some would consider him untouchable at the heart of Iraola's midfield, cashing in while his stock's hig might not be a terrible move.

Well, according to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have found the perfect replacement in Martin Zubimendi, a player who they tried so hard to sign in 2024, at the start of Slot's tenure. They are not alone in questing for the wantaway Arsenal star, with a host of European heavyweights plus Chelsea also keen.

Liverpool failed and went on to win the Premier League anyway that year, but Ryan Gravenberch is no longer hitting the same heights as before. Zubimendi would be perfect, though Arsenal would likely seek at least £70m for the Spain international they signed for £60m one year ago.

Zubimendi, 27, rejected Liverpool in favour of staying at Real Sociedad. One year on, he had moved to the Emirates. Even so, he would offer much on Merseyside, having won four duels per game at a 60% success rate in the Premier League last season.

He appeared to burn out over the second half of the term, but Liverpool could find a more maestro-like midfielder to place at the centre of their system, someone who can offer defensive support while adding passing patterns that Mac Allister has struggled to connect with those in the final third.

Spanish football writer Alexandra Jonson hailed him last year "world-class" technical ability, showcasing those attributes in the Champions League last season. En route to the final, Zubimendi ranked within the top 13% of midfielders for line-breaking passes and big chances created per 90.

Also regarded as one of the world's finest No. 6s, Zubimendi has been said to play "like Xabi Alonso" by Roberto Montiel, who coached Basque youngsters such as Mikel Arteta back in the day. His vision and understanding of the game could be exactly what Liverpool are looking for, with Mac Allister lacking true skill as a playmaker.

Whether Liverpool can provide the right environment for him remains to be seen. But in Iraola, he would find a fellow Basque native who would inherently understand how to get him ticking at the heart of the field.

Liverpool have already profiled Zubimendi, and while Arteta has frozen him out this season, he featured across all 38 of the Gunners' matches over their title-winning campaign.

His cultured, intelligent ball-playing style could bear dividends for Liverpool.