Andoni Iraola has drawn criticism for fielding Alisson in Liverpool's thrilling 6-3 UEFA Champions League win against LASK. The Brazilian goalkeeper has a well-documented injury history, and despite a grueling schedule in the weeks ahead, Iraola chose to start him ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez and Víctor Muñoz were among the senior players given a rest, while Bradley Barcola came in and delivered a hat-trick. Ronald Araújo, Lewis Koumas and Jeremie Frimpong also got on the scoresheet.
Having joined the club after preseason, ex-Reds star Stephen Warnock weighed in on the importance of giving Barcola game time, but expressed his frustration at the choice to play Alisson over Liverpool's backup goalkeeper, via the Liverpool Echo.
- Cristiano Ronaldo delivers brutal Portugal 'ultimatum' after Jorge Jesus 'broke his word'
- Manchester United's position on Jason Wilcox following Lisandro Martínez criticism
"It's [been] a chance for Barcola to get some minutes in his legs and get a bit sharper, but Iraola's main thinking now must be to rest his key players for Saturday's game at Brentford," he said on MOTD: UEFA Champions League.
"That's the important one, and it's going to be a much bigger test than this. So it's the right thing to do to give Van Dijk a break, but I am not sure why Alisson is playing and risking a potential injury."
Jérémy Jacquet and Rio Ngumoha were both spotted leaving the field with a limp, though neither appeared to have sustained a serious problem. Iraola will hope both stay healthy, given Liverpool face six fixtures over the next 21 days.
Discussing their hectic schedule spanning late October and early November, he said: "You don't have a lot of time to train. You try to prepare the games now.
"Little bit outside but you have to understand the freshness of the players. We are playing four games in 10 days. The more Bradley Barcola plays the better his connections will become."
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE
One pairing that has flourished this campaign is Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo. Unfortunately, both forwards sustained injuries while on international duty earlier this month and remain sidelined.
Dominik Szoboszlai joined them in the medical room prior to the loss against Manchester City, the midfielder returning from Hungary duty with hamstring tightness.
Addressing the trio, Iraola said: "They are not bad but it's difficult to tell right now (when they will be back). We are taking it day to day. Really the three of them, I don't know if it's going to be Brentford or Villarreal."
Those two clubs represent Liverpool's next opponents, with the Reds first traveling to Brentford, who have maintained an undefeated start to the campaign.
Villarreal in the Champions League marks the opening match of four straight home games across three competitions. Liverpool meet Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal in the Premier League, with a Carabao Cup clash against Chelsea in between.