‘We thought it would work’ – Andoni Iraola defends Bradley Barcola decision after Liverpool loss

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola defended his choice to start Bradley Barcola in a central attacking role following a group-stage defeat. Barcola struggled to make an impact centrally before moving wide right, while Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo began the match on the bench. Iraola explained that Barcola's speed was viewed as a potential tactical advantage and pointed to squad rotation requirements amid a crowded schedule.

Liverpool took the lead through Trey Nyoni before a deflected Mason Greenwood free kick beat Alisson Becker. Alexander Isak restored Liverpool's advantage as a substitute, but quickfire goals from Archie Brown and Vedat Muriqi sealed the opposition's victory. Iraola maintained that defensive lapses, rather than squad rotation, were the primary reason for the defeat ahead of Sunday's match against Crystal Palace.