Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has urged his players and supporters to keep the recent results in context after back-to-back losses to Arsenal and Fenerbahce ended the upbeat atmosphere around Anfield.
The Reds’ 1-0 loss against Arsenal last week left them nine points adrift of the Premier League pace-setters. Three days afterwards, Liverpool were beaten in Turkey, suffering their first Champions League reverse of the campaign.
In his first season in charge of Liverpool, Iraola acknowledged the disappointment caused by those two setbacks as he readies his side for Sunday’s away meeting with a struggling Crystal Palace.
“A week ago, when we had this press conference, we were on a good run, everything was going well and the mood was better,” the Spanish coach said.
“Now there have been two defeats, so things change, and they should change. At clubs like ours, that is how it has to be. We now need to respond. Following two losses, we need to win away at Palace.”
Iraola replaced Arne Slot in June and believes fluctuations in form are unavoidable at such an early stage of his tenure.
“Everybody is angry when we lose, but we need to retain perspective and understand there will be highs and lows during the process,” said the former Bournemouth manager.
“We are not as poor as we may appear today, just as we were not as strong as we seemed a week ago. We have to keep that perspective. Managing the group’s mood is also part of my challenge.”
