Liverpool: Andoni Iraola addresses Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha viral clip after goal celebration discussion | OneFootball

Liverpool pair simply carrying out tactical instructions from the manager

Andoni Iraola has said he was happy to see Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha in discussion over swapping positions during Liverpool’s win over Tottenham.

Liverpool sealed a place in the Carabao Cup fourth round - where they will host Chelsea next month - thanks to a 3-1 win against Spurs at Anfield on Tuesday night.

Not for the first time this season, Gakpo came up with an all-important strike as he doubled the Reds’ lead early in the second half after Alexis Mac Allister had opened the scoring in the 21st minute.

As the Dutchman celebrated his second goal of the season, cameras caught himself and Ngumoha deep in conversation about swapping flanks, thus allowing the youngster to move out to his favoured left-wing position after starting on the right.

Iraola was asked about this during the pre-Bournemouth press conference on Friday, saying his wingers are instructed to swap sides at moments during games.

"In the case of our wingers, we will have these moments in games where they change sides,” Iraola told reporters. “If we see something is not working or if we can damage one of the opponents on the other side.

"We were talking, it was the moment after they changed their left-back from Destiny Udogie to Andy Robertson and the demands are different so you have to adjust. Some full backs are more offensive, others are better from building from farther.

“It's good that they start to communicate together, sometimes I don't mind if they come to me during the game and say maybe we should change, sometimes we will, sometimes we won't, there are other factors.

“But I think it's good that all the wingers are doing the effort of playing both sides and more or less are doing a good job."

On target: Cody Gakpo

Getty

After Conor Gallagher had reduced the deficit to give Tottenham hope, Dominik Szoboszlai put the game to bed with a stunning finish which has sparked a debate as to whether his goal is considered a volley or half-volley.

For Iraola though, a new term needs to be created to describe the strike.

He added: "I think we need a different word because I don't think it's a volley and I don't think it's a half-volley.

"I don't think it's a volley because the ball bounces and I don't think it's a half-volley because a half-volley is when the trajectory of the ball goes upwards, for me, and you hit it and you score.