Iraola hails Liverpool’s reaction as Palace victory ends losing run

Andoni Iraola praised Liverpool’s response to a challenging week after they returned to winning ways with a 3-1 Premier League victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak scored for Liverpool, who had suffered consecutive defeats before their trip to south London. Eddie Nketiah converted a stoppage-time penalty for Crystal Palace, but the goal came too late to threaten the visitors’ victory.

“We needed this win, definitely, especially after the defeat the other day in Turkey,” Iraola said. He also pointed to the demands placed on Liverpool after returning late on Thursday from their European trip before having to prepare for another away match.

Crystal Palace made the game difficult, particularly in an open first half in which both sides created chances. Iraola said goalkeeper Alisson Becker had played a decisive role, highlighting one important intervention.

“There is a save from Alisson that is key for us,” he said.

The Liverpool goalkeeper was also praised for his second-half stop from Yeremy Pino in a one-on-one situation. Iraola said Alisson had controlled his penalty area effectively and produced the standard expected of him in a demanding away fixture.

Liverpool became more secure after the interval, defending better and taking greater control of the match. However, Iraola was disappointed that Nketiah’s late penalty prevented his side from recording a clean sheet.

“I’m upset because a clean sheet is expensive,” he said.

Isak’s goal was another positive for Liverpool, although Iraola stressed that the striker’s contribution extended beyond finding the net. He praised the forward’s movement for Wirtz’s goal, explaining how Isak’s run towards the near post created room for his team-mate.

“The one I appreciate more is the movement he does in Florian’s goal. He attacks very well the first post, he leaves the space in behind for Florian to arrive,” Iraola said.

The manager also welcomed the willingness of Liverpool’s attacking players to create openings for one another rather than focus solely on scoring. He said Isak deserved recognition for making sacrifices that benefited the team.

Wirtz scored the second goal and also supplied an assist, earning particular praise after a difficult spell in which goals had been disallowed and chances missed.

“He’s been very unlucky in the Premier League,” Iraola said. “Today, to help us, the 2-0, and also he has had a very good performance, I am happy for him.”

Despite the result, Iraola believes Liverpool must improve before reaching the level expected of them this season.

“It’s clear we still have room to improve, we need to become a better team,” he said, while emphasising the need for greater defensive strength away from home.

He felt Liverpool became more threatening once they had taken the lead because Crystal Palace were forced to attack and left more space behind them. Before the break, Liverpool had found promising positions between the lines but had not delivered the final pass accurately enough.

There was concern over Dominik Szoboszlai, who was substituted after taking a knock. Iraola said the midfielder was not fully fit and that Liverpool would assess him before deciding whether he could join up with his national team.

“I don’t know if it’s a problem, but he definitely wasn’t 100 per cent,” he said.

Iraola also expressed concern about losing more players during the international break, after Alex, Cody Gakpo and Szoboszlai had previously been absent.

“The last thing we need now is to lose players in the international games,” he said.