Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola said the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace was vital for his side after two successive defeats, but the victory was overshadowed by a possible injury to Dominik Szoboszlai.
Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak earned Liverpool three points. After a difficult first half in which Alisson made an important save, Liverpool managed to take control of the game.
After the match, Iraola said:
We definitely needed this win, especially after the recent defeat in Turkey. It was another away game, and we need to find ways to win at grounds like this. I am very happy with the three points.
The game was quite open in the first half, with chances for both teams. Alisson made a very important save for us. The first goal was significant because it allowed us to go into half-time 1-0 up. In the second half, we defended much better and controlled the game.
When we were ahead in the second half, there was space to attack and it became much easier to play. It was different in the first half: the opposition defended in a low block. We found good positions between the lines, but we lacked accuracy with the final pass.
Iraola was particularly concerned about Szoboszlai. The Hungarian was making his first Premier League start since a hamstring injury, but took a knock in the first half and felt discomfort in his knee.
Dom was definitely not 100 per cent in the second half. The last thing we need now is to lose players during the international break. In the previous international break, we lost three very important players: Alex, Cody Gakpo and Dom.
I think Dom slightly hyperextended his knee. Overall, he was OK, but not 100 per cent. He needs to be careful and work out whether he can play for his national team. Hopefully, our situation will be better in two weeks.
I know Dom will do everything possible to join up with his national team because he loves playing for them. But by the end of the match he was definitely not 100 per cent.
We need to analyse everything with the medical staff and assess the situation. I know what I want, but I have to consider the interests of the national teams. Dom will want to go, but I am not yet sure whether that will be possible.
Liverpool's medical staff will now assess Szoboszlai's condition. The club hope to avoid further injuries during the international break and continue their winning run when league action resumes.
