Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola reviewed his team's disappointing 3-0 defeat against Manchester City in the sixth round of the Premier League.
According to the boss, the match played out in two clear stages: Liverpool were more dominant until the moment Gravenberch was sent off, after which the visitors took control.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Iraola noted that his team performed well for the first 60 minutes, but the red card drastically altered the game’s dynamics.
“I think it’s obvious. We played two different matches today. One lasted until the 60th minute, and the other started after the red card. In the first half, we were the stronger side, while in the second, it was our opponent who played better,”
Iraola questions Gravenberch's first yellow card
The Liverpool boss also addressed the referee's decision to show Gravenberch a second yellow card, arguing he felt the first booking was unwarranted.
“The first yellow card didn’t deserve such punishment. Anderson took a couple more steps — the referee wasn't even looking to give a free-kick. I don’t understand why he showed the yellow card. At that moment, we had about nine players around the ball,”
Iraola acknowledged the difficulty of playing against Manchester City even at full strength, highlighting how much harder things became with ten men.
“Pressing them is tough even when it’s 11 against 11. When you’re a man down, the game becomes a completely different affair. We conceded almost immediately, even before we could make a substitution. When you’re down 1-0, you have to change your approach,”
Praise for Gravenberch and team spirit
Despite the loss, Iraola praised Gravenberch’s performance, commending his contributions both offensively and defensively.
“He played very well today. He advanced the ball excellently and defended well,”
In an interview with BBC Match of the Day, Iraola reiterated his satisfaction with his players’ approach to the game, regardless of the final scoreline.
“I’m very proud of my footballers. They put in a tremendous effort and showed high intensity, competing well in duels. We lost and got nothing to show for our performance, but I really liked what I saw,”
Iraola also expressed his gratitude to the Liverpool fans for their unwavering support throughout the match.
“Our supporters were outstanding today. They backed us from the moment we arrived at the stadium. The red card came when we were playing our best football. Even afterwards, the crowd continued to appreciate the players’ efforts,”
Can injured players return in time for the next match?
The manager also commented on the situation with injured players, stating that the injuries do not appear too serious, but time is tight with the team set to travel to Austria in just two days.
“These aren’t particularly serious injuries, but we have a trip to Austria in two days. It will be tough for them to recover in time for the next match,”
Liverpool finished the game with a disappointing 3-0 defeat. After a goalless first half, Manchester City scored three times in the second half, capitalising on their numerical advantage following Gravenberch's red card.
