Andoni Iraola explains why he didn’t start £100m stars and hails one Liverpool man

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola explained that he benched high-profile stars Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Bradley Barcola due to fitness concerns and a congested schedule. The decision followed Liverpool's 4-3 Champions League comeback victory against Villarreal at Anfield on October 20, 2026. Iraola stated that risking Isak was impossible, while starting Wirtz and Barcola would have marked their fourth start within a ten-day span.

After falling behind 2-0, Liverpool rallied with two goals from Alexis Mac Allister, alongside strikes from Ronald Araujo and substitute Wirtz. Iraola specifically praised Mac Allister for his composure, character, and attacking versatility during the comeback. Liverpool next face Brighton in the Premier League.