Defender confirms he is the one to save Andoni Iraola and Liverpool

Andoni Iraola's problems can be saved by an exciting defender at Liverpool.

Liverpool's priority may be Bradley Barcola in the transfer market, but there's another issue that's becoming impossible to ignore. Right now, Andoni Iraola has something of a centre-back crisis on his hands.

Joe Gomez is sidelined through injury, while Giovanni Leoni is still working his way back after a lengthy spell on the treatment table. Virgil van Dijk has also been kept away from full match action, instead continuing his preparation at the AXA Training Centre.

To make matters worse, summer arrival Jeremy Jacquet is currently nursing a knock of his own.

That has left Iraola desperately short of experienced options during pre-season.

In Liverpool's opening two friendlies, the senior centre-back choices have effectively been Luke Chambers, Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe. All three are talented youngsters with bright futures, but asking them to anchor the defence at this stage highlights just how stretched the squad has become.

Pre-season is supposed to be about bedding in new ideas, building partnerships and helping players adapt to a new manager's style. Instead, Iraola has had little choice but to piece together a back line with whoever is available.

Of course, the situation should improve once players begin returning to fitness. Van Dijk will be back in the fold, Gomez and Leoni are expected to recover, and Jacquet's issue doesn't appear to be a long-term concern.

Even so, Liverpool's defensive depth is already being tested before the new season has even begun. That's hardly the ideal start to life under a new manager.

The reality is that Liverpool do need more reinforcements at the back. The right-back position for example is completely uncertain at this stage.

It is not known when Liverpool can expect to see Conor Bradley return from his injury. Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong hasn't really caught the eye at right-back and doesn't seem very well suited to that role at all - even under Iraola.

Entering the market may be necessary. However, there can be another way Liverpool can save millions and solve their problems not by going through external but internal means instead.

Pre-season is a great opportunity for that. It often afforded Jurgen Klopp with solutions, players who were ready to step-up and who Klopp would freely use during the regular campaign.

Now it's doing the same for Iraola.

One player who has caught the eye not only with his quality on the pitch but also for his versatility is Luke Chambers.

The 22-year-old has been unfortunate with injuries over the course of the last few years but he's also enjoyed some really successful loan spells.

He's a very talented player who was highly regarded by Klopp himself.

Now, Chambers has stepped up to the mark playing both as a centre-back and as a left-back in pre-season. His performance against Wrexham, helping Liverpool keep a clean-sheet was brilliant.

“Obviously, much appreciated to the gaffer having the trust to put me in at left centre-back. It’s not my main position, but obviously when I get older and my career goes on, hopefully I can link more positions to my game," Chambers told Liverpool's official website after the game.

“Playing centre-back is quite tough, especially against opposition that are a good Championship side. The strikers know what they’re doing so it’s about learning the little dark arts about the game.

“I thought I did well.”

Chambers continued: “[Iraola] just said to play my game.

“He’s seen me in training, he knows what I’m like at left-back. I can read the game really well so I kind of take that into playing centre-back.

“So, just do what I normally do at left-back but just move it in a little bit.”

The way he adapted to the role was brilliant and given Liverpool's current crisis, Chambers confirmed with his performance he could be both Liverpool's and Iraola's saviour.