‘I hope we can have good news soon’ – Iraola on Barcola deal
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The Reds were looking to make a triple substitution in the second half, bringing on Ryan Gravenberch, Kostas Tsimikas and Rio Ngumoha.But they were forced to wait to make the changes, during which time Neco Williams was fouled in the box by Alisson and Morgan Gibbs-White scored from the spot to restore the visitors’ lead.
Victor Munoz scored an emphatic equaliser on his home debut but Iraola remained unhappy.
“I don’t want to analyse the penalty, but the fourth official cannot take three minutes before we get the subs,” he told TNT Sports.
“I was already angry because in the previous stop we couldn’t make them, and then before the throw-in I thought, ‘okay, we’ll do it now’.
“They will have to explain it. It has taken ages to prepare two boards.”
Liverpool were much improved in the second half having struggled in the opening 45 minutes against a Forest side who led twice.
“Not the result you want,” Iraola said about the game as a whole. “Two very different halves. We were poor in the first half. Even being poor, we’ve been unlucky in terms of VAR and offside.
“We’ve been much, much better in the second half. The intensity was different. If you are going to lose, you have to lose like in the second half. A lot more intense, a lot more threatening, and I finished happy with the second half, but it was [too] late to win the game.”
Highlights: Munoz stunner rescues Liverpool on Iraola’s Anfield debut
Video credit: TNT Sports
Asked if there were improvements on the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United last weekend, Iraola added: “I think [it was] different.
“First half, the goal comes from not defending a long throw-in. But overall the feeling I had in the first half was poor.
“When you go 1-1 in the second half, the momentum is for you but, like happened against Newcastle, we concede another one and everything becomes difficult.”
A first goal of the season for Alexander Isak was a major positive for Liverpool and the striker reflected on his start to life under Iraola.
“It’s been good, there is always time to get used to a new style,” he said on TNT Sports. “We are really working hard to try to play the game he wants us to play.
“When we start doing that better I have no doubt the results will come as well.
“Ultimately, as a striker, I am very happy to score the first one. Every striker wants to score every game he plays.”
Liverpool are next in action away to newly promoted Ipswich Town on Friday night.
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