Iraola says Liverpool took control as Bournemouth tired in narrow win

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola praised his side’s resilience after Alexander Isak’s goal secured a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth in round five of the English Premier League.

The result moved Liverpool up five places to sixth on nine points, while Bournemouth remain 17th with three points from three draws and no wins.

Isak’s second-half strike proved decisive and took his league tally to four goals after five rounds. That is already more than the three goals he scored in the whole of last season.

Speaking to English broadcaster Sky Sports, Iraola admitted Liverpool had struggled during the opening stages before improving.

“I am very happy. I know how difficult it is to play at this ground, and it is very difficult to take three points here,” he said.

“We were not good in the first 20 minutes and had to work hard to improve so that we could finish the first half better.”

Iraola said Liverpool had initially been unable to match Bournemouth’s intensity in the contested areas of the game.

“In the first part of the match, we did not win the duels or the second balls,” he added. “When the opposition play with that intensity, you have to be at the same level.”

Liverpool produced a stronger display after the interval, with Iraola believing Bournemouth’s energy levels played a part in his team gaining greater control.

“In the second half, when fatigue started to affect the Bournemouth players, we controlled the match much better,” he said.

“We had chances, but we did not score the second goal.”

The clean sheet was Liverpool’s third in succession, although Iraola believes there are still defensive aspects for the team to improve.

“This is our third consecutive match without conceding,” he said. “We need to improve some things, but the involvement of Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Milos Kerkez gives us defensive solidity.”

The victory also saw Iraola overcome his former club Bournemouth, whom he left at the end of last season after guiding them to European qualification for the first time in their history this season.