Andoni Iraola was speaking after his side earned a 1-0 win at his former club Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola believes Liverpool deserved their narrow triumph on his return to Bournemouth - but has demanded more from matchwinner Alexander Isak.
Isak netted the only goal shortly before the hour as the Reds continued their unbeaten start to life under Iraola with a 1-0 victory on Sunday afternoon.
It was the Basque’s first game at the Vitality Stadium since leaving Bournemouth earlier in the summer after three years in charge on the South Coast.
And the Liverpool head coach said: “I think it was a deserved win in the end. I was disappointed with the first 20-25 minutes, we didn’t start the game with the intensity the game requires.
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“To win here is very difficult and I know that very well.
“Bournemouth started really strong and it wasn’t until the first 20-25 minutes that we matched that level, and at the end of the first half and in the second half we played better. We had better situations with the ball and we could win the game.”
Isak’s goal was his fourth of the season - matching his tally for the whole of the previous campaign - although Iraola was compelled to repeat the advice he aired for the striker after his two goals at Ipswich Town a fortnight ago.
“The striker’s job is like this,” he said. “He had one shot over the crossbar he doesn’t hit properly and a chance to control, but at the end he has to help us to be closer to the box and in the opposition half to have meaningful possession.
“If the team is playing there, he will receive better rewards.”
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Liverpool became the first team to win at Bournemouth since January and have now moved on to nine points from five games, just three adrift of champions Arsenal.
They now have three weeks off due to the new extended international break after which they have a tough run of games including facing the Premier League’s current top four.
And assessing the start to his reign, Iraola said: “Overall we have improved definitely since the first games. Some of the things we still need to improve. I’m happy with a third clean sheet in a row in the league.
“Today is a difficult game, you never play comfortable here as Bournemouth don't allow you to play comfortable here normally.
“They put you under pressure and you have to adapt and you have to win these kind of games.
“We have to get ready as the schedule we have now is very difficult. We are playing against the top four teams, and in between the Champions League and Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, every two or three days.
“We have to be ready as the next month after this break is going to be very demanding for us.”