Iraola gives positive Barcola injury update and praises Mac Allister after first Champions League win | OneFootball

Andoni Iraola gave a positive injury update on Liverpool forward Bradley Barcola after the winger was taken off early in the win over Atletico Madrid.

Barcola made his first Liverpool start in the Champions League as his side came back from a goal down to beat Atletico Madrid at Anfield; however, Iraola was forced to take off the French international on the hour mark.

Iraola was asked whether Barcola and Rio Ngumoha, who was also taken off on the hour mark, were injured when being taken off early on.

“No, just cramps, especially with Bradley,” he answered

“We are kind of rushing him a little bit. We wanted him there, but at the end we decided to say give us what you have then that’s the most he has. Let’s see how they recover for the next one.”

Alexis Mac Allister scored the winning goal in the match a day after he said he was “very sad” not to have been offered a new contract by the club in the summer. Iraola praised the midfielder after the match.

“Yes, lovely goal for him and from Dominik [Szoboszlai],” he said. “They ran a lot. Alexis has been very smart – I think it was a very cheap first yellow.

“They were putting pressure to find the second one. He is a smart player and he could survive that.”

Liverpool went behind early on, but were able to get themselves back into the game. Iraola reflected on the match.

“I loved it – the atmosphere has been incredible and I feel lucky to experience it,” he said. “I think I have to take the blame from the beginning because they surprised me a little bit tactically; they played a five at the back – a 5-3-2.

“We expected something different and waited to correct it. After half-time, we had a much better game. We pressed better, and I think we have been a better team.”