Andoni Iraola press conference | Every word after Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool
Read every word from Andoni Iraola's press conference after Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak ensured the Reds go into the international break having returned to winning ways following back-to-back defeats, with Eddie Nketiah's stoppage-time penalty a mere consolation for Palace.
Following the Premier League game, Iraola was asked about topics including his side's performance, the display of Alisson Becker, and Dominik Szoboszlai's fitness after the midfielder picked up a knock in the late stages of the first half and was then substituted with around 20 minutes remaining.
See everything the head coach told reporters post-match below.
On it feeling good to return to winning ways following a challenging week…
Yeah, I think we needed this win, definitely, especially after the defeat the other day in Turkiye. We arrived also very late on Thursday night and an away game, another away game, and you need to find ways to win in these kind of stadiums, and I'm very pleased for the three points. I think in the first half the game was quite open, chances for both teams, and I think there is a save from Alisson that is key for us. And to score that first goal I think has been important, to go to the half-time one up, and in the second half I think we defended much better, we controlled much better the game. But in the first half it was quite open.
On how pleased he was with Alisson's performance…
Very pleased, very pleased because I think not just the save in the first half especially was very good. The last one, with the 2-0 already against Yeremy Pino, I think, in the one-on-one situation. Just that he's commanded the box very well. Games here, of course, normally there are a lot of things happening in the boxes. It's quite a small pitch and straight away you find yourself in situations inside your box and I think he has shown the level he has.
On the resilience shown by his side, proving how determined they are to come through tough tests…
Yes, I think overall we are having great results away from home, you know, in difficult stadiums. Today, it looks at the end, OK, we were winning 3-0 and… but no, it was a tough game and especially in the first half when it was still 0-0, the situation was not solved, no? And I think we've had good moments from our offensive players. Probably upset a little bit at the end with the penalty. Very upset, I would say, because I know it doesn't change anything, it's in the 94th minute or whatever, but I'm upset because a clean sheet is expensive and the penalty that they've called…
On Isak scoring again and appearing to be full of confidence…
Yes, I think he has had the goal, also another situation one-v-one against the 'keeper that he doesn't score. But I told him, 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, good play from Bradley [Barcola]. And it's not just the goals. We need this kind of help from the teammate, sometimes sacrifice your option for your teammate and I think even the second-half situation with Victor [Munoz], I think they have not been selfish in the finishing and I think he deserves the goal again.
On whether Liverpool are where he expected them to be at this stage of the season...
It's true, I think now we are [through] at least one quarter of the season. I think it's clear we still have room to improve, we need to become a better team. This, especially away from home and being very, very solid, I think that this win helps to get ready again against [Manchester] United. It's going to be the next one. You see yourself in a better place, but we know we still need to improve.
On finding consistency in attack...
I think when in the second half we are ahead, we can have spaces to attack, it becomes much easier. Palace have to leave you a little bit more space and then you can find other situations in behind them. The first half, I think it was different. They were a lot lower and especially at the beginning I think we found good positions between the lines, but we were not giving the last pass properly. I think there was a situation from Florian, from Dom, just a better pass and we go against the 'keeper. We haven't found it in the first half, but obviously after in the second half, when you are 1-0 up, I think you find better spaces and attacking becomes easier.
On how important Wirtz's goal and assist will be for his confidence...
Happy for him because I think he's been very unlucky in the Premier League; I think a couple of goals disallowed, situations where he deserved honestly to score. Today, to help us, the 2-0, and also he has had a very good performance, I am happy for him.
On whether he needs to manage Szoboszlai's fitness...
Yes, Dom has... I don't know [if it's] a problem, but he definitely wasn't 100 per cent. Let's see. The last thing we need now is to lose players in the international games. Last time, in the international break, we lost three very important players, so now I'm praying – it's the last thing we need. I think he extended a little bit the knee, it was fine, but not 100 per cent, so he has to be careful to see if he can play with the national team or not. We will see, and also hope that it doesn't happen like the other break where we lost Alex, Cody [Gakpo] and Dom. So, touch wood we are in a better place in two weeks.
On whether Szoboszlai will join up with the Hungary national team...
I know he will do everything to go because he loves to play with the national team, but he was not 100 per cent when he finished the game. I suppose they will have to analyse, the medical staff, and see what it is. I know what I want, but I also have to understand the national teams. I'm sure that Dom, if he is fine he will want to go, but I'm not sure if he's going to be fine.
