Andoni Iraola to address Liverpool 'dressing room concerns' after bust-up

Andoni Iraola could be forced to deal with dressing room tensions at Liverpool following an on-pitch bust-up during their pre-season tour.

Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai were spotted arguing on the pitch following their 1-0 win against Wrexham in New York, sparking concerns about behind-the-scenes issues.

Following what proved to be a frustrating season for Liverpool last time out, Iraola is now being challenged to deal with issues which were sparked under Arne Slot's management.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that any dressing room issues will not be a major concern and will likely be resolved between the players.

The manager is expected to address any growing problems behind the scenes and ensure they do not grow, but does not have any worries about the atmospehere around the club.

It is also seen as a benefit for Liverpool to have players who are willing to challenge each other if their frustrations can be used in the right way to improve their performances.

What challenges is Andoni Iraola facing at Liverpool?

Brown told Football Insider following Iraola's appointment in June that the new boss has a number of concerns that need addressing, with immediate plans to assess his squad.

While transfer plans are still being put in palce, with key areas of the team being evaluated, any dressing room issues will also need to be eased.

It could be a tough job for Iraola to turn things around after what proved to be a difficult season last time out, but he will be boosted by the belief that the bust-up is not a major concern.

"These are issues that will have cropped up under the previous manager," Brown told Football Insider.

"Tensions don't just rise overnight, a lot of the time the issues have been clear for a while, and then something happens and things spill over, and it looks like that's what has happened.

"Obviously, Iraola has to resolve the situation, he has to make sure it's not something that's going to have an impact on other players or grow and become more of a problem.

"But I'm led to believe there aren't any real concerns about the atmosphere at Liverpool, it looks like it's just an isolated incident.

"To be honest, in my experience, having players who are willing to call each other out and challenge each other on issues can be a positive thing to have in the dressing room.

"Especially in pre-season, if they don't think standards are being met and they want to address that and give each other a kick up the backside, then that's not a problem.

"These issues usually end up being resolved between the players, and of course the manager will be involved, but it doesn't have to be a big thing.

"If there is any suggestion that there could be deeper problems, then it will be a concern, but it doesn't seem to be anything more than a disagreement between the players."

What is next for Curtis Jones after Liverpool bust-up?

One player who was involved in the on-pitch bust-up in New York was Jones, who has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield in this transfer window.

The 25-year-old has been growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of involvement on the pitch, while behind-the-scenes issues are now starting to crop up.

As a result, Brown told Football Insider on 3 August that Jones is set to push for a move away from Anfield and is no longer happy at his boyhood club.

Growing tensions behind the scenes as well as his disillusion with the role he has played in recent seasons are considered unlikely to be resolved before the window closes.

Interest has grown in the midfielder's situation from clubs both in the Premier League and across Europe, with a move abroad considered his most likely next step.