Andoni Iraola says Liverpool faced ‘two different matches’ in Manchester City defeat

Andoni Iraola said Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City at Anfield effectively consisted of two separate matches, with Ryan Gravenberch’s red card changing the contest on Sunday.

The score was goalless until Gravenberch was sent off in the 62nd minute during the sixth round of the Premier League. Manchester City then scored three times in succession to secure victory.

Speaking to the BBC after the match, Iraola said Liverpool had performed strongly before being reduced to 10 men.

“I think, first of all, it is about the fact that we played two different matches,” he said. “The first was before the red card and the second was after it. During the first 60 minutes, the players’ performance was excellent.

“In the second match, after the red card, Manchester City were better than us.”

Iraola questioned the decision to dismiss Gravenberch, who had already been booked.

“The first yellow card was just a kick to the toe. It was nothing. It was a normal foul,” he said.

He added that the sending-off came at a point when Liverpool were beginning to build momentum.

“That was the moment when we were putting in more effort. The momentum was growing in our favour and the atmosphere in the stadium was really good,” said Iraola.

Liverpool had limited Manchester City’s opportunities during the first half, according to their manager, and had started to create chances of their own after the break.

“We conceded very few chances in the first half. We performed really well,” he said. “In the second half, we were turning that performance into opportunities.”

Iraola said the numerical disadvantage made it significantly harder for Liverpool to challenge the visitors.

“It is already difficult to press them when both teams have 11 players, but when you are one player short, the game becomes completely different,” he said.

“Then we conceded a goal straight away before making any substitution. When you are one goal down, you have to play differently.”

Despite the result, Iraola said he remained proud of the squad’s efforts.

“You learn a lot from matches like this. I am very proud of my players,” he said. “They gave everything today. It is true that we lost the match and did not get a positive result, but I enjoyed it a lot.”

Asked whether injured players could return for the Champions League this week, Iraola said there was little time to assess their availability.

“It will be difficult. There are only two days left. Nobody knows what will happen,” he said.