Liverpool fought back from 2-0 down to beat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield, with manager Andoni Iraola explaining his decision to rest Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola reacts to Liverpool's Florian Wirtz
during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between Liverpool FC and Villarreal CF at Anfield on October 20, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola praises Florian Wirtz after the £116m man made a telling contribution off the bench in the Champions League win over Villarreal
Andoni Iraola revealed he was unwilling to risk Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz or Bradley Barcola from the off following Liverpool's thrilling comeback victory over Villarreal at Anfield.
The Reds clawed back from two goals down to triumph 4-3 on the night, securing a third successive win in six days on the back of victories at LASK and Brentford the previous week.
After Georges Mikautadze and Sergi Cardona had handed the visitors a two-goal cushion, headers from Alexis Mac Allister and Ronald Araujo brought the sides level at the break.
Mac Allister then nudged Liverpool ahead at 3-2 in the second half following fine work from Rio Ngumoha, before substitute Wirtz netted his first goal of the campaign to reduce Tani Oluwaseyi's late strike to a mere consolation.
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Iraola rang the changes six times throughout the evening, shedding light on why he felt unable to throw big-money signings Isak, Wirtz or Barcola - worth a combined $487M (£364m) into the starting line-up after a gruelling fixture schedule since the international break.
"I am quite clear, with Alex Isak we couldn't risk today," the Liverpool head coach said. "And with Florian and Bradley it would have been their fourth start in 10 days, we played a game against Brentford that was physically very demanding.
"Florian has played three games consecutively very well, away against LASK, Brentford and today in the second half, he gives us a lot of control and he is a very dynamic player with and without the ball.
"And with Florian and Bradley it would have been their fourth start in 10 days, we played a game against Brentford that was physically very demanding.
"It is difficult for players to mark him, he has played well but maybe not had the numbers, so that doesn't stand out a great deal.
"But I was trying to get him for five minutes to talk about the game because what I would say is he is playing very, very well and I am very happy to have him."
Alexis Mac Allister central midfield of Liverpool and Argentina celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between Liverpool FC and Villarreal CF at Anfield on October 20, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Alexis Mac Allister races to get the ball back to the centre circle after reducing the deficit for Liverpool(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
On Mac Allister, Iraola added: "Today Alexis played like a higher position. He can arrive inside the box like a No. 8, he can arrive in the half spaces, the first goal from a set-piece, it is a great goal.
"He is not the tallest but he also has character. When you are 2-0 down, not playing well, he doesn't panic, he has the experience has won a lot of things and it is lovely to have him.
"A lot of things happened today. They were much better than us in the first half, and we were much better in the second half.
"When we've been under pressure, we answered well. When we relaxed, we made mistakes. You cannot relax against very good opposition. I value the win."
The Reds are next in action on Sunday afternoon, when they welcome Brighton to Anfield.