Andoni Iraola has not escaped criticism following Liverpool’s disappointing 1-0 defeat against Arsenal which left the Reds nine points behind the Premier League leaders.

The new Liverpool boss has only one home league win to his name in four outings, and having now lost to both Man City and Arsenal at Anfield, some onlookers are understandably concerned.

Nicol wanted Dominik Szoboszlai on for Florian Wirtz

Iraola’s errant decision to take off Nyoni with Liverpool dominating the midfield was questioned by Daniel Sturridge directly after the match, and the former Reds striker was not the only one to wonder what might have been had Iraola made a different choice.

According to Nicol, that choice should have been to bring Szoboszlai on for Florian Wirtz, keeping the balance in the Liverpool midfield and giving the Reds a long-range goal threat.

“After 60 minutes, aside from a little spell in the first-half just before and just after Arsenal’s goal, Liverpool were dominant in the game,” the Scotsman told ESPN.

“Absolutely from that point on this game changed and Arsenal actually got a foothold back in the game up until the last 10 minutes when Liverpool were getting balls forward early. I think the manager made a real error. He should’ve taken Wirtz off and put Szoboszlai further up the field and then we might’ve got a shot at goal.

“Szoboszlai’s as good as anyone in the Premier League from 25 yards out, striking at goal. So, why don’t you get him up front, take Wirtz off who had done virtually nothing other than hit a crossbar from a free-kick, and then you might’ve had some strikes at goal. But what would’ve happened would be that you still would’ve dominated the middle of the park.

“Instead, he left Wirtz on, Szoboszlai comes on, they lose control in the middle of the park and it wasn’t that good from then on.”

Nevertheless, Nicol was still generally positive about Liverpool’s overall performance, claiming that the Reds gave a much better account of themselves than during the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City in October.

“I’m frustrated, but Liverpool, no question, are miles ahead of where they were three weeks ago,” he said.

Ian Wright claims Iraola made a second error

While many fans and pundits are seemingly in agreement that Iraola should not have Nyoni off when he did, Arsenal legend Ian Wright has weighed in to point out another mistake he felt the Spaniard made on Sunday.

“I’d have started with Rio [Ngumoha] instead of Gakpo, because of what he does to the crowd, he can create something,” the former striker told Sky Sports.

“I just thought it was quite comfortable in the end in trying to keep them out, they were just knocking the ball in and they [Arsenal] love that.

“I think they needed a bit more guile with somebody like a Rio. There were opportunities where Barcola was ready to go and they didn’t put him in there.”

Iraola has generally avoided criticism for his in-game and selection decisions during his Liverpool reign so far, but with some slightly worrisome home results now starting to pile up, the scrutiny will only increase.