Andoni Iraola on Liverpool vs Man City and difference between Enzo Mareseca and Pep Guardiola

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Iraola on Liverpool v Manchester City, Maresca v Guardiola, injuries and title talk

In this interview, Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola discusses preparations for facing Manchester City, the Anfield atmosphere, the differences between Enzo Maresca and Pep Guardiola, and injuries to players such as Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak. He stresses that title talk is premature and places greater importance on performance levels and steady improvement during a demanding run of fixtures.

► Subscribe to Sky Sports News: http://bit.ly/SkySportsNewsSub ► Watch Sky Sports with NOW: https://bit.ly/NOWSkySportsYT Andoni Iraola speaks to Sky Sports about his start to life as Liverpool head coach and the obstacles that stand in his teams way this season. SkySportsNews SkySports liverpool 00:00 -Intro 00:10 -Previewing Man City game 01:10 -Atmosphere at Anfield 02:30 -Difference between Guardiola and Maresca 03:21 -Squad fitness update 04:05 -Options at centre-forward 05:00 -Injuries over international break 06:00 -Cody Gakpo's form 07:26 -Stability in back-line 08:20 -Progression since coming in 10:55 -Importance of Man City game 12:05 -On last encounter vs Man City ► For the latest developments on this story: https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/topstories ► For the latest transfer news: https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/TransferCentre More from Sky Sports on YouTube: ► Sky Sports: http://bit.ly/SkySportsSub ► Sky Sports Boxing: http://bit.ly/SSBoxingSub ► Sky Sports Cricket: http://bit.ly/SubscribeSkyCricket ► Sky Sports Darts: https://bit.ly/SubSkySportsDarts ► Sky Sports Football: http://bit.ly/SSFootballSub ► Sky Sports F1: http://bit.ly/SubscribeSkyF1 ► Sky Sports Golf: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsGolf ► Sky Sports Premier League: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsPL ► Sky Sports Retro: http://bit.ly/SkySportsRetroSub ► Sky Sports WSL: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSkySportsWSL ► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skysportsnews ► X: https://x.com/SkySportsNews ► Website: https://www.skysports.com ► To enquire about licensing Sky Sports content, you can find out more here: https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/news/31754/11434270/license-sky-sports-footage

Transcript

Antonio, I'm just going to start with events over the last few weeks because obviously we know what's happened to Manchester City. I just wonder how you feel that all of that situation will affect the dynamic of this game this weekend. >> I think in our you know we're rolling our job doesn't affect too much because you are focused on the football side of the of the game or but we understand there is a lot of noise around the around the the game and the preview the questions that you're going to ask me but all we have to do our job focus on the football side it is a already a very demanding game so we've been working on this yes. >> So is the noise that you and your players have to shut out? >> No we have to focus on playing a great game and giving our supporters a good game a good result and and and and the game by itself is so big any Liverpool Man City game lately has been so big that I think it has enough noise inside the pitch that that our our focus. >> Are you expecting it though to even turn up that atmosphere that little bit more? >> I think every time we play at Anfield honestly the atmosphere is is really good no especially big games that is going to be the case in on Sunday. I I have no doubt people will be with us will be with the team and my my my job is is is also to give them no things to to cheer and and and to try to to help us and do it all together because we will need them yes. >> More than one of your predecessors as Liverpool head coach has said if they weren't Liverpool head coach at the time of facing Manchester City they'd be tuning in wherever they are take it you're of the same mind. >> Yeah of course I think it's a it's a massive game no even early in the in the in the in the season but everyone will be watching at the at the game not just because of all the noise around just because it's a it's a Liverpool Man City game. >> City you have that 100% record so far. Given what's happened, are you expecting a team that's going to be even more galvanized by it because of a almost like a siege mentality, I suppose? >> I suppose you ask a question for them. I cannot answer, no, for for them. >> Well, I suppose you have to expect that, don't you? >> I I I I think I expect what they've been this season, that they've been very good. They've they have the leaders right now. They've won all the games in the Premier League. So, that's the team I I expect with their their adjustments, their changes, their like every every other game, yes. >> What have you seen about City that's maybe different to what's gone before? The difference between Enzo Maresca and Pep Guardiola. >> I think you can see the differences, obviously. I think we know already Enzo very well, how we did before with Leicester, with Chelsea. How he sets up the teams and I think it's a kind of a mixture, like ourselves, no? It's some things that they were doing really well before and things that are new from the new the new manager and they've they've started really strong, yes. >> For yourselves, what kind of shape are you in squad-wise? I'm thinking, obviously, with that international break, we know about Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak coming away with injuries. Jack has trained this week. So, what state are those three in and how likely are any of those three to play? >> That's the the situation, more or less, no? Jeremy has trained yesterday and he's he's good to go and and I expect him to to be available. Cody and and Alex, they haven't trained. You watched the the session or basically we put images of the session yesterday, no? We didn't hide anything. >> to keep it secret. >> No, [laughter] no, they they weren't able to to train yesterday. We still have a couple of days, but I think it's going to be tough. >> How How much of a decision are you facing in that front three, if you like, in terms of who plays through the middle, because Lewis Koumas we've seen has made an impact this season, but he's such a young lad, is it right to throw him in in a game against Manchester City? Is he at that level yet? Or do you play someone like Bradley Barcola through the middle? >> Yeah, we have some options. Obviously, if Alex is out and and Hugo is already out, and also we have Fede training with the group, but coming from an another injury. Uh, we are quite thin up front. It is what it is, but I think we have players that have previously played there. We have Koumas also. We have options that we are we are analyzing, and it's not just for this game. Looking forward, we are now playing, I think, four games in 10 days. Four very demanding games, I would add. So, this will happen during the season, so we will have to adapt to the circumstances. >> How much of a frustration is it for you, though, the fact that Cody and Alexander have come back with injuries, particularly when you've been talking about keeping Alexander fit? >> And we look at the impact that both of them have had in terms of goals and assists this season. >> Yeah, I think it's international football now, when you are a a coach in a club, you know, it's you don't become a big fan of international football, no, because you >> Especially every week, right? >> Yes, yes, waiting, no news every every time a game ends, okay, no news, the doctor is not calling, okay, good good sign, you know, but we've been unlucky, obviously, with Alex and and and Cody. Uh, they got injured with the national teams, and it's frustrating because we were like we only had like, let's say, like the long-term injuries. You know, we were in a position where nobody we've been like kind of good. Uh, and then uh, things that are out of your control, and you lose now these these these two players, but it is we cannot change this, and now we have to focus on uh, how to to get ready for Sunday and for the next next games because we have a demanding schedule. >> It feels like Cody has almost been your player of the season so far and that's an incredible turnaround considering he could have joined Manchester City. >> [sighs and gasps] >> Yes, I think both of them, I think Alex and Cody, they have been involved in most of our goals. The numbers are there and it's true that they are very important in our offensive plan, let's say, no, but also we have other players that kind I trust them a lot. They are doing very well. And let's see now if they can they can help us on Sunday or as soon as possible and if not we have more players that are ready to go. >> With Jeremy being fit, I suppose that takes away decisions to be made at right back because Ronald will just stay there, will he? He's brought such solidity to your back four, hasn't he? >> Yes, I think in terms of um travels and this we were a little bit like because Ronald has played the travels have been like I think Japan, Korea, India, um but he has been he has he's in a good place. I think he has rested, he didn't play last game so I think it's it's good also for us. Alexis also that was the last one to play has come in a in a good place and obviously having all the options specially in the back side available gives me options. We can go different ways but at least this we want to have those problems. When you have options you can take decisions. Sometimes when you don't have the numbers is sometimes is easier but is not what do you like. >> Has Ronald almost become your signing of the summer because of the balance that he's brought in that back line? >> I think Ronald is is is now playing a lot out of position because I still think he's a center back but I think he's doing a very good job especially defensively. He has given us um good solidity. I think we are coming from good numbers defensively last games with with clean sheets and and he has helped no, to get there. Obviously, the demands uh cannot be the same as when Jeremy plays or when Conor is going to play, where they are more offensive players uh starting from that that that position, but uh it gives me tools, it gives the team more options, and I think uh he's having the right attitude, uh playing center back, playing right back, playing whatever the team needs, and I love these kind of of players, yes. >> Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like you're getting the ball forward quicker, and you're also defending your box that bit better as well. What sign of progress is that? Is that what you're seeing as well? >> Yeah, we are trying. We are trying to get there. I We still have uh room to improve, no? I think uh lately, probably comparing to the beginning of the season, we've controlled better the games, we defended better, but has cost us a little bit offensively. You know, it's like we want to keep those positive signs, but we don't want to lose, no, all the other threats that that uh this team uh can can have, and now we are trying to uh become a better team, so don't lose what we are doing well, and then add things, and and and I think uh now this this run of games, very demanding run of games we have, uh I think this uh competitiveness, these demands of the high-level games, uh I think it will it will help us also. >> Is progress happening quicker than you thought? Is it taking longer? >> Uh depending if we win on Sunday, everyone will say, you know, it's going smoothly and everything goes well. And if we lose, ah it's not we are not improving, so uh this you have to go day by day. I think uh we are progressing certain things, but still we have uh room to grow, and we need to be better uh to achieve the demands and and and expectations of the people, we need to improve. And and and this doesn't mean we are doing everything bad, no, but uh we need to improve, yes. >> How far away do you think you are then from, say, Andoni Iraola's fully-fledged Liverpool? >> Yeah, we don't really know. We don't really know. We know where we want to go. We want uh the process to go as quickly as possible. Uh but sometimes it it takes time, you know. I think uh we are seeing some of the players uh comfortable having good performances. And but we still have to find another players like the right spot, the right combinations so they can show their their level and and we are there, yes. >> If you beat Manchester City, though, does that send out the message that you're in the title race? >> I think it's too early, you know. We've played five games in the Premier League. I think it's a big game, massive game, important game. Uh but it's very early. Whatever it happens, if we win, we lose, you know, it's like it's not going to change the 38 games. It's Obviously, we want to win, put ourselves in a in a in a better position with specially the two draws at the beginning of the season are taking us a little bit of points, you know, comparing to those teams that are now at the top. Uh but it's it's it's just one one game. >> What is it an indicator of, though, this one this one game, particularly when it comes to performance levels, as well? >> For me, it's the performance levels are very important. Obviously, we need the results. The mantra is to win the games, but specially at the beginning of the season, you look You need to look a good team. You need to look solid. You need to have the confidence to face whatever the team and and and and and go with confidence to the to the game. And now we have to show it because we will have now the many games, Champions League, in the league. I think we are playing straight away in a row the first four in the league. So, basically, top-level games where we need to to show our level. >> And this is the case, I suppose, is it when you talk about those performance levels and potentially results, it's the self-belief that that then can help add further momentum to the season. >> Of course. Winning always helps. Uh sometimes, even if you are in a process and you are I don't know but if you can do those things winning is much better for the confidence for the reinforcement of the messages and we will we will give everything now to to to come from this this part of the schedule in a in a good place yes. >> I just wonder if Manchester City might feel they owe you one though. Going back to last season the draw when you were manager of Bournemouth effectively handed Arsenal the title last season. >> Yeah everyone forgets because that that point gave us actually the access to Europe now even the chance to to fight for the Champions League until the last game that we we we did but the implications of that game is like everything is Man City everything is Arsenal but for us was a massive massive result because we could get Europe finally. >> How much are you looking forward then to being part of this massive rivalry as it's grown over the seasons? >> For me it's exciting exciting I always said now I feel privileged to be in this position right now you need to also prove of yourself now in this in the biggest stages now and we've had some good games previously but we have now one against City top of the league at Anfield so it looks amazing. >> There have been some epic title battles between Liverpool and Manchester City over the years so is that the vision for the future as well to be part of something like that? >> I think from our side we want to be in the in the in the biggest stage in the fighting for titles and and we our focus is to to to to improve the team so we can be there when it matters at the end of the season so when you are fighting for for the for the big things. >> Good luck. >> Okay thank you. >> Come on. >> Thank you.