Andoni Iraola has reflected on Liverpool's strong away form in the Premier League following Sunday's comfortable 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace
The Liverpool manager, Andoni Iraola looks on prior to the Premier League match against Crystal Palace
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has discussed his team's progress this season(Image: Photo by Steve Bardens - AMA/Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is pleased with his team's away form in the Premier League this season but insists there is still plenty it needs to improve.
It's been a mixed start to the campaign for the new boss, who succeeded Arne Slot at the beginning of the summer. Liverpool has suffered just three defeats across all competitions so far, but both of its league losses have come at home.
Away from home, Liverpool has drawn one and won the remaining four of its league games. The Reds' sole away defeat came in midweek against Fenerbahce, which was also their first dropped points of the season in the Champions League.
On Sunday against Palace, despite a patchy start to the game in which the hosts had a goal ruled out for offside, Liverpool eventually took the lead through Alexis Mac Allister. Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak added a second and third after the break to put the game to bed, although Palace was gifted a late consolation courtesy of a contentious penalty decision.
Speaking after the game, Iraola was asked whether his team is where he thought it would be at this stage of the campaign. “It's true, I think now we are [through] at least one quarter of the season," he told the media post-match.
"It's clear we still have room to improve, we need to become a better team. This, especially away from home and being very, very solid, I think that this win helps to get ready again against [Manchester] United.
“It's going to be the next one. You see yourself in a better place, but we know we still need to improve.”
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool celebrates with Alexander Isak of Liverpool after scoring his side's second goal
Florian Wirtz scored his first Premier League goal of the season(Image: Getty Images)
The conclusion of Sunday's games means the final international break of the year is here. Iraola has already admitted the club will be holding its breath, as the last break saw at least three Liverpool players suffer injury setbacks.
Among them was Dominik Szoboszlai, who returned from duty with Hungary nursing a problem related to overload. He's featured a handful of times since but suffered yet another setback when he was forced off in the second half against Palace.
Iraola will be hoping all of his players return unscathed, not least because the visit of Manchester United to Anfield awaits after the break.
The winter schedule will then ramp up as Liverpool faces both Club Brugge and Everton away before the end of November. Iraola will hope his side can continue its promising form away from home.