Iraola has made a decision after Liverpool's draw with Newcastle.
Andoni Iraola, manager of "The Reds" Liverpool, spoke after coming from behind to draw 2-2 with "The Magpies" Newcastle during the opening match of the 2026-27 English Premier League season. He said he decided not to blame his players and praised their fighting spirit for successfully equalizing.
Iraola said, "It's a strange feeling. Although it’s not the result we wanted, we have to accept that the way we scored in the end feels better. However, of course, we wanted to win."
"Visiting Newcastle in the first game of the season, the atmosphere in the stadium, they have very fast players, and we conceded a goal. They punished us, but we never gave up. The energy of the players, especially the substitutes, was excellent in helping us come back."
"When you concede the first goal, you have to keep the game moving quickly. You have to let things happen when you’re behind. We controlled the game better in the second half, keeping more possession near their penalty area. When we scored, it seemed like we were turning the game around, but then they scored again."
"Before the game, we wouldn’t have accepted this result, but I think it’s a reward because we never gave up. We pressed Newcastle hard and had to wait until the very end."
"I think in the second half we played more decisively, pressured the opponents, created more set pieces, and delivered more crosses into the box. I think this is the reward. Even though it’s just one point, we deserve it."
Regarding Dominic Szoboszlai's penalty, Iraola said, "I think we don’t only have Szoboszlai and Alexander Isak; we also have several good specialists. Alexis Mac Allister was on the field and took a great penalty, Cody Gakpo too. We have many options, but I think Szoboszlai showed his level of skill. It was a penalty almost impossible to save. I’m certainly happy because, in the end, we got one point. I’m also pleased with Victor Munoz because he caused problems for the opponents. I believe substitutes who can change the game are important for us."