Liverpool secured a well-deserved 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid in what turned out to be an entertaining game of UEFA Champions League football at Anfield.
After Marcos Llorente’s opener, Dom Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister were at hand to save the Reds and complete the comeback either side of half-time.
A handful of players played really well for the home side, but Andoni Iraola reserved special praise for four of them: Mac Allister, Ronald Araujo, Jeremie Frimpong and Kostas Tsimikas.
Andoni Iraola praises four Liverpool players
Mac Allister’s thunderbolt gave Liverpool the lead in the second half as he capped off a fine performance with a goal.
“Alexis has been very smart,” said Iraola after the game.
“They were putting all the pressure on him to try and get the second yellow card but he’s a clever player.”
The Spaniard also singled out Ronald Araujo for special praise for his brilliant backheel in the lead-up to Szoboszlai’s goal.
And finally, Kostas Tsimikas and Jeremie Frimpong came on as substitutes and produced decent cameos, earning praise from their manager after the game.
Andoni Iraola:
“Alexis has been very smart. They were putting all the pressure on him to try and get the second yellow card but he’s a clever player.”
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“Ronald, we probably don’t value him offensively but he’s got good crossing ability, smart on his decision-making also,” continued Iraola.
“Players like Jeremie Frimpong, Kostas [Tsimikas] haven’t started many games. They are probably disappointed but they have to come on and help us a lot.
“Even for five minutes, like Kostas today, he did well, calm on the ball; this is very valuable for the team.”
Overall, another great European night for the Reds under the Anfield lights…
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