Andoni Iraola praised Liverpool's supporters for the atmosphere they created in the Reds' 3-0 loss to Manchester City, as he was left to rue the team's losing control of the game following Ryan Gravenberch's second-half red card.
The Reds had enjoyed the better of the game against the Premier League leaders up until the Dutchman's dismissal in the 62nd minute for a second bookable offence, before goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki saw them fall to an emphatic defeat.
City's first game since financial ruling
The match marked City's first game since they had been found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial regulations, with a fiery Anfield crowd repeatedly reminding the visitors of their misdemeanours throughout.
Iraola admits the uncertainty regarding Manchester City is not good for anyone, with sanctions to be decided at a later hearing while the club, who maintained their innocence, have also appealed the verdict.
Iraola's assessment of the game
But the Basque found positives in his side's performance and the atmosphere supporters created despite the final score-line.
“We lost the game, but, you know, that's football,” he said. “We competed, we can analyse.
“I said before the game, the uncertainty is not good for anyone. But it is what it is, we cannot change it. We have to wait.
“I think the analysis is quite clear, no? I think we played two different games: one until the red card, and one from the red card until the end.
“I think we were the better team until the red card in the first 62 minutes, I think. And they were better than us, obviously, after the red card. And they scored the goals.
“But I think the players deserve credit today, because I think they've given everything. They've given everything.
“And I think also supporters have been fantastic today, fantastic. Before, during, after. And I think the atmosphere and the feeling we had until that moment, also it was, I think, our best moment, probably, when we were having the chances and are positive.
“That obviously, when you lose after 3-0, it's not a lot. But I think it was important.”
Anfield's massive advantage
He continued: “For me, today we've had a big advantage, with Anfield, with the supporters, massive advantage.
“It's true that I think also the players have done their part. They have turned up and they've competed, have gone to the duels with intensity, they've given their best.
“But I think it is one of the reasons I think we were better until the red card, because the stadium has helped us a lot today.”
