Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has admitted that the Cherries were the last team he wanted to face in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after Liverpool reached the last eight by beating Chelsea on penalties.
Andoni Iraola reacts during the Carabao Cup match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield
Andoni Iraola was eager to avoid his former club(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has confessed that Bournemouth were the last side he wished to draw in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after Liverpool booked their place in the last eight with a penalty shoot-out triumph over Chelsea.
The Reds fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Xabi Alonso's outfit as a Cody Gakpo penalty equalised Morgan Rogers' earlier spot-kick.
With the two teams inseparable after 90 minutes, Liverpool advanced to the next stage thanks to a 6-5 shoot-out victory after Wesley Fofana failed to convert the crucial penalty.
Having altered seven positions in his starting XI, Iraola was thrilled to reach the quarters but admitted he had been less than delighted when he discovered his former employers would be blocking the Reds' path to the semi-finals.
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"In the end in cup competitions, what matters is that you are in the next round, and you are in the draw," he said. "And luckily for us, we finished on the right side of the penalty shoot-out.
"I think we are pleased because the players have done a very big effort today and at least we get the reward of being in the quarter-finals. When you do, the line-ups and the squads, you are not thinking in case it goes to penalties, I will leave the ones who shoot the penalties for the end.
"No, you are trying to balance the team. We are changing a lot of the players because we need to change. I think we've done seven changes today, but even in the Champions League, that are very important games, we're always doing four or five changes.
"When I've done the last subs, when I put Alexis (Mac Allister) and Alex (Isak), especially, it starts to be on your head. Okay, in case of need, those are the best ones probably that you can put."
He continued: "I was talking to Tony (Barrett, Liverpool FC press officer) before the draw and I told him: 'The only team that I don't want is Bournemouth'.
Trey Nyoni impressed his head coach in Liverpool's Carabao Cup win over Chelsea
Trey Nyoni impressed his head coach in Liverpool's Carabao Cup win over Chelsea(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"For me it's special, but they know me very well, they are playing very well lately, in a good moment. But it is what it is.
"We haven't been very lucky with the draws. We played Spurs, Chelsea already, now Bournemouth, that is going to be obviously special for me. But we have to earn the right to be in the semi-finals and I hope we can do it here at home again."
Meanwhile, Iraola commended Trey Nyoni after the final whistle, expressing his view that participating in such cup fixtures provides invaluable experience for all his younger squad members.
"I think he's done really well, really well," he said. "I think it's good for the young players especially, to live these experiences in cup competitions, where, if you lose, you're out.
"We've been losing, then drawing then they haven't been there in the penalty shoot-out but they live the feelings.
"They play under pressure against a very good team and I think Trey has finished physically in a good place, so very well done, yes."