Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has explained why he left Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola out of the starting line-up for the 4-3 Champions League win over Villarreal at Anfield, citing fitness concerns after a demanding run of fixtures.
The Reds came from 2-0 down to secure a third victory in six days, following wins at LASK and Brentford last week. Georges Mikautadze and Sergi Cardona had given the visitors a two-goal lead before headers from Alexis Mac Allister and Ronald Araujo levelled the match. Mac Allister added a second-half goal after good work from Rio Ngumoha, and substitute Wirtz scored his first goal of the season to make it 4-2, rendering Tani Oluwaseyi's late effort a consolation.
Iraola explains rotation decisions
Iraola made six changes in total and explained why he felt unable to start the £125m Isak, £116m Wirtz or £123m Barcola after the international break. "I am quite clear, with Alex Isak we couldn’t risk today," the Liverpool head coach said. "And with Florian and Bradley it would have been their fourth start in 10 days, we played a game against Brentford that was physically very demanding."
He praised Wirtz's contribution off the bench, saying: "Florian has played three games consecutively very well, away against LASK, Brentford and today in the second half, he gives us a lot of control and he is a very dynamic player with and without the ball. It is difficult for players to mark him, he has played well but maybe not had the numbers, so that doesn’t stand out a great deal."
Mac Allister praised after comeback
On Mac Allister, who scored twice, Iraola added: "Today Alexis played like a higher position. He can arrive inside the box like a No.8, he can arrive in the half spaces, the first goal from a set-piece, it is a great goal. He is not the tallest but he also has character. When you are 2-0 down, not playing well, he doesn’t panic, he has the experience has won a lot of things and it is lovely to have him."
Reflecting on the match, he said: "A lot of things happened today. They were much better than us in the first half, and we were much better in the second half. When we've been under pressure, we answered well. When we relaxed, we made mistakes. You cannot relax against very good opposition. I value the win."
Liverpool return to action when they host Brighton at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
