Andoni Iraola will break Liverpool star's heart, it's incredibly tough

Andoni Iraola won't be able to avoid breaking one Liverpool star's heart. It's an incredibly tough one.

Liverpool's pre-season properly started on Saturday evening as they took on Sunderland in Nashville. The Reds were winners, ultimately, coming back from 2-1 down to win 4-2.

This was the first time Andoni Iraola got a proper look at his squad - though, this isn't really his squad. Liverpool were still missing several key players and the new boss had to rely heavily on youth.

There is an advantage to that, however. The Reds' squad is short right now and this was an incredibly good chance to look at some fringe players who might be able to break through.

Two notable stars started the fixture: Harvey Elliott and Kieran Morrison. Elliott took up a no.10 role, while Morrison played from the right. We imagine the pair will have their eyes on both roles, however.

After all, they're relatively similar, with Elliott offering quite a bit more experience. There's no question that they'll view the exit of Mohamed Salah as an opportunity, too, as they're really the only right-sided attacking players in the Reds' squad.

However, Liverpool are undoubtedly in the market for a new winger on that flank. They needed one anyway, given the lack of pace out wide, and Salah's departure increases the need.

It's why Iraola will inevitably need to break the heart of Elliott or Morrison. While there's room for one of them, they're just too similar as technical wingers who want to move inside - and the Reds need pace.

One signing on the right does still leave room for one of them, but not both. Iraola will have to pick and it's not obvious who the better option is.

Elliott is the better player right now, unquestionably, but he's also far more likely to get a good move if Liverpool want to sell or loan him. Morrison may ultimately be better-suited to the backup role as a development project.

But there really isn't a 'right' answer here. Iraola will have to decide - assuming the club do eventually bring in a winger.