Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola stated on Friday that he does not intend to lower the team's requirements for high intensity, despite a series of injuries. The Reds are ready to play without Dominik Soboscic, Jeremy Frimpong, and Victor Muñoz during their visit to Brighton on Sunday. Furthermore, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo recently returned after injuries sustained in international competitions.
The high-energy playing style that Iraola successfully employed at Bournemouth helped him secure the position at Anfield. However, for the first time in his coaching career, he has to deal with the additional burden associated with European football.
At the press conference before the match, Iraola emphasized that the team cannot play at 70% level. He explained that if there is no backup right winger, he will put someone in that position, preferring this over having someone conserve energy to last all 90 minutes. In his opinion, players should give maximum effort for 60, 65, or 70 minutes, as other players will come onto the field afterward.
He added that although he would like to say they are capable of winning matches by playing at 70%, this is not the case. They need to show their best game because the opponents are very strong.
Liverpool enters the weekend four points behind third place, which is held by Brighton. Brighton leads the English Premier League in goals scored, having netted 23 goals in seven games. Iraola noted that the opposing team is showing incredible results and deserves all praise, considering them very well trained.
The coach stated that the team needs to show its best level to beat Brighton, as the opponent is currently full of confidence. Nevertheless, he also considers his team to be in good shape.
Soboscic's return from injury was interrupted last week during the victory over 'Brentford', but Iraola expresses hope that the Hungarian player will not be absent for long. The Spaniard said he does not think the player is far from being ready, but he has not yet trained with the group. Given that he was brought on and then substituted, it will likely require one or two more days than last week.
Iraola noted that Soboscic is in good shape, training independently outside the group, and will soon join the team, but is not yet ready for the upcoming match.