Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has called on his players to channel their fighting spirit into Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Brighton after a dramatic 4-3 victory over Villarreal in the Champions League.
The Reds return to league action at Anfield, where they face Brighton in what will be the second of four consecutive home games, before they tackle fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal.
In his column for the official matchday programme, Iraola highlighted the significance of every performance in front of home fans and stressed the high level of competition they’re set to face:
It’s only been a few days since we last played at Anfield, and not long after today we will find ourselves back here. As someone who views every opportunity to play at this stadium in front of our supporters as a privilege, I passionately believe we must continue to enjoy this period.
Reflecting on the challenging midweek match where Liverpool came from 0-2 down against Villarreal, Iraola cautioned about the threats posed by Brighton:
Villarreal pushed us to the limits, and everything about Brighton’s game this season suggests we are in for a similarly tough test today. Following this, we’ll face Chelsea and finally Arsenal.
Brighton have been one of the season's pleasant surprises in the Premier League, and their position near the top of the table speaks for itself.
Iraola expressed confidence that the resilience shown by both the team and supporters will aid Liverpool in navigating their congested schedule and challenging calendar.
