EXCLUSIVE: Graeme Souness insists Andoni Iraola is the 'right man' for the Liverpool job, but concedes the manager must address several 'problems' within the squad

There’s no doubt in Graeme Souness’ mind that Andoni Iraola is the “right man” for the Liverpool job - but there are some “problems” the Spaniard must address to make a success of his time at Anfield.

Iraola, 44, replaced Arne Slot earlier this summer, with the Reds looking to return to the attacking style seen under legendary manager Jurgen Klopp, which yielded a Premier League title, one Champions League win in three Final appearances, an FA Cup, and two League Cups. The Reds went on another spending spree to back their new man, with Bradley Barcola the marquee signing to bolster Iraola’s options.

However, thus far, the Reds have flushed hot and cold. Liverpool sits ninth in the Premier League, with two wins from six, three draws, and a defeat. They were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City in their last outing in the backdrop of their rivals being found guilty of 114 of 115 financial charges.

They got back to winning ways in the Champions League, running out 6-3 winners on the road against Austrian side LASK. Admittedly, the Reds haven’t been helped with injuries, either, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Hugo Ekitike all sidelined.

The likes of Barcola and Florian Wirtz are yet to light up Anfield, too. “City certainly cut them to ribbons in that second half,” Souness told Liverpool.com amid the release of his new book, ‘My Rangers: How I Changed Scottish Football For Ever.’

“Sometimes it's harder to play against 10 men because they just sit and don't move out of their positions. But City carved them up. When you think of the goals they got, they were fabulous.”

“I think Wirtz has not fulfilled his full potential yet. Whether that can happen at Liverpool a year and a bit in, that might not happen,” Souness continued. “I think he looks neat and tidy on the ball. I bet he's unbelievable in five-a-side, small-sided games.”

The injuries to Big Money strikers Isak and Ekitike have also added to Iraola’s struggles. “I think the problems are Isak. When you bought Isak, you knew he wasn't going to play every single game for you. I think he's fragile,” Souness asserted.

“But he was at Newcastle. But he's a goal scorer. Ekitike is the same. He looks like he's a bit fragile as well. So that's an issue going forward. But if you could guarantee they were both going to be fit all season for all games, that'd be a very different story.

“But you can't guarantee that. I think, by and large, the players they've bought have not turned out to be the players they thought they were getting. So they have to find that.

“Playing for Liverpool is demanding. Every time you cross that white line, it's a cut final for the opposition. And that's something new players going into Liverpool have to understand.”

Still, Liverpool legend Souness believes Iraola is the “right man” for the job. “I like him,” Souness said. “I live down in Poole. I used to go and watch his work at Bournemouth. He knows what he's doing. I like him.

“I like listening to him. I think he's a common-sense manager, which there are few and far between. He obviously knows the game. And I like him. And I wish him well.

“I mean, there's no doubt about it that he is the right man for that job. He plays front-foot football. And that's what Liverpool has to have.

“And it's the players that have come in who have not lived up to their expectations. And that's where your problem lies. It's not the manager.”