Following his team’s 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has openly criticized his squad’s poor start to the match, explicitly blaming a sluggish first half for their failure to secure three points.
Iraola noted that the team was far too passive without the ball in the first half. He revealed that they left too much distance between lines and lacked the necessary intensity to win duels.
While he praised the second-half resurgence, noting that the players were much quicker on the ball, more intense, and showed an essential sense of urgency, he made it clear that a strong second half doesn’t undo the damage of a failed first half.
“I think we improved a lot in the second half. We were much more intense, much quicker on the ball, with more sense of urgency,” he said.
“But it’s not enough to win the game, and I think we have to blame the first half that we had.
Read Also:Premier League: Aina Stars In Forest’s Thrilling Draw With Liverpool
“In the first half we were being passive without the ball, leaving a lot of distance and becoming a little bit comfortable.
“When we improved the intensity, we won more duels and started attacking quicker and attacking better. This lack of intensity without the ball has hurt us.”
