Andoni Iraola reflects on Liverpool's 6-3 win over LASK in Austria that made it two Champions League wins from two
LINZ, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 14: Andoni Iraola, Manager of Liverpool, speaks to the media in a post-match press conference following the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between LASK and Liverpool FC at Oberösterreich Arena on October 14, 2026 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Jasmin Walter - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola speaks to the media after Liverpool's 6-3 Champions League success over LASK(Image: Jasmin Walter - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola admits his changing of Liverpool's two centre-backs in their 6-3 win over LASK was taken with one eye on this weekend's trip to Brentford. Bradley Barcola scored a hat-trick alongside efforts from Ronald Araujo, Jeremie Frimpong and Lewis Koumas, who scored his first goal in the Champions League in the second half.
However, the substituting of centre-back pairing of Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet, for Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, coincided with a LASK response as they scored three times in 14 minutes at the Raiffeisen Arena.
And Iraola, who was frustrated with the defensive showing in the second half, conceded those changes were brought on by thoughts around his team selection for Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
"I think there is a reason why a manager would never change both centre-backs together," Iraola said. "But it is difficult, a new pairing to come in straight away but obviously winning 4-0 I have to start thinking about the next game.
"We play in a few days away at Brentford, so Ronald and Jeremy have played a lot lately with us and with the national team. And I think it was to give them a bit of rest but usually in a game it is not the right thing to change both centre-backs together .
"At the end, it was a different game and you have to try to analyse not just who can rest but who can help us win the game against LASK today. What players can help us against Brentford?
"After that we play a very difficult game in the Champions League against Villarreal, so we need more than 11, 12, 13. That is why we have some young players who can give us some good performances and get experience.
"These games are not easy for Trey (Nyoni), for Koumas, what they have experienced, we can trust them to play more. So it is good."
LINZ, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 14: Lewis Koumas of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their team's sixth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between LASK and Liverpool FC at Oberösterreich Arena on October 14, 2026 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Young Liverpool forward Lewis Koumas celebrates his first Champions League goal(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Reflecting on his team's performance offensively, Iraola added: "I think we attacked very well, especially in the first half in a very compact block.
"They played a back five and they were not spaces in between and I think we found the spaces in the pockets, in behind with the three up front.
"The second half was more about exploiting the spaces but I think offensively it was really a complete performance."
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