Andoni Iraola admitted his Liverpool side were passive before the break as the Reds drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Iraola: 'The first half has been poor from our side'
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Andoni Iraola manager of Liverpool gestures during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on August 29, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola reflected on his competitive debut as Liverpool head coach at Anfield.
The Reds underwhelmed last season under Arne Slot, but their new Basque boss has not been able to command confidence from the outset of this campaign. His men drew 2-2 against Newcastle United, and the action in Saturday's early kick-off ended with the same score against Nottingham Forest.
·'This lack of intensity has hurt us'
Alexander Isak and Victor Munoz registered their first goals of the Premier League campaign for the hosts to respond to goals from Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White. But the side are still searching for their first win, and Iraola will need more time to craft this group in his own identity.
"Yes. I'm frustrated because we want to win, especially at home. It's not a good result to draw at home. It's true we came back from two results where we were losing, like the other day against Newcastle.
"But at the end what makes the difference are the wins and the three points. I like what we've done in the second half, but we haven't been able to complete the comeback. It leaves you frustrated, yes.
"I think it has been quite clear, the first half has been poor from our side. I think we haven't been good enough. We haven't controlled the game and afterwards we improved a lot in the second half.
·Passive without the ball
"We were much more intense, much quicker on the ball with more sense of urgency, and I think that we have been much better. But it hasn't been enough to win the game, and I think we have to blame the first half that we've done.
"I think what we do without the ball affects a lot after our play in possession. I think in the first half we were being passive without the ball, leaving a lot of distance, leaving them joining some passes, becoming a little bit comfortable. After we improved this and that matter of intensity, being closer to the opposition gives you the chance to win duels and then you start attacking quicker, attacking better.
"This lack of intensity without the ball I think has hurt us and also we've had issues today with the throw-ins. Not only the long throw-in, just the throw-ins because the first ball comes from a throw-in [that] we don't defend well in the right side after there is a long throw-in and after comes, obviously the second goal comes from that situation.
·Waiting on the transfer window
"We are talking now about the hypothesis. We don't know what's going to be the squad on September 2. I think every analysis that I can make is when I know and when everything finishes, when I know who's going to be here all the season or at least until January. So now, we've waited all the summer, so we have to wait two, three more days, analyse and see what we have when the market closes."
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Iraola stressed the importance of balance (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Iraola stressed the importance of balance (Photo by Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)