Liverpool Lebanon

Alexander Isak: It's good to get something from the game - but we need to be better

🔴 On the result...

I think there's no problem in fighting spirit and never giving up. I think we showed that last week as well. Obviously we started the game pretty bad today as well. When we gained momentum by scoring a goal, that's where we need to be better, I think, because again today we conceded quite quickly after that. But from the position we were [in], it's always good to get something out of the game.

🔴 On working under Andoni Iraola...

It's been good. There's always time to get used to a new playing style and a new manager. But we are really working hard to try to play the game he wants us to play and I think when we start doing that better, I have no doubt that the results will come.

🔴 On feeling 'more responsibility' to score goals this season...

Yeah, of course. That's the job ultimately as a striker. Obviously I'm very happy to score the first one and hopefully it just keeps coming.

🔴 On whether he sets targets for a season...

Not really. I think every striker wants to score [in] every game he plays. Obviously that's difficult but [take] each game at a time.

🔴 On playing at Anfield...

It was amazing. I think our fans were amazing. Really happy to be back here at home and I can't wait to be back here again.

FT: Liverpool twice come from behind as the points are shared at Anfield.

Champions League: Fixture details for Liverpool's eight league-phase matches.

Liverpool v Atletico Madrid – Wednesday September 9, 22:00

LASK v Liverpool – Wednesday October 14, 19:45

Liverpool v Villarreal – Tuesday October 20, 22:00

Fenerbahce v Liverpool – Wednesday November 4, 19:45

Club Brugge v Liverpool – Wednesday November 25, 22:00

Liverpool v FC Porto – Wednesday December 9, 22:00

Internazionale v Liverpool – Tuesday January 19, 22:00

Liverpool v RC Lens – Wednesday January 27, 22:00

(All kick-off times are Beirut)

will take on Atletico Madrid, Porto, Villarreal, Lens (all at home) and Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce and LASK (all away) in the Champions League first stage. Dates and order to be determined by Saturday 🔴

The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase draw will be held from 19:00 (Beirut Time) today.

A total of 36 clubs will be involved in the draw; they will be split into four pots of nine.

The Champions League fixture list with match dates and kick-off times will be communicated no later than Saturday 29 August.

The league phase begins on Tuesday 8 September.

Liverpool’s 26/27 third kit is here!

Liverpool closing in on Bradley Barcola from PSG. Guaranteed fee just above £100 million and about £20 million in add-ons. Still negotiations to take place. (Paul Joyce)

St Mirren have signed Liverpool defender Calvin Ramsay on a season-long loan.

Thank you for your support today, Reds! 🔴

On to Nottingham Forest and our first Anfield match of the season!

YNWA ❤️

Andoni Iraola's press conference after Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool

Andoni Iraola was pleased with how his Liverpool side persevered to salvage a point in their 2-2 draw at Newcastle United to open the Premier League season.

🔴 On Liverpool fighting until the end...

I think because you score at the end you probably have a better taste. Before the game, we wouldn't have signed this result probably. But it is true that I think it is a reward because I think we've never given up, I think we've put a lot of pressure against Newcastle and we had to wait until the end. But I think we've done more than enough to score that goal. And I think if we could have scored a little bit earlier, probably the run of the game was for us.

🔴 On the performance...

I think it's difficult because they told me probably the stats are for us in terms of we've created more and [had] better chances and this. But it's true that they can say, 'OK, we were winning, so we didn't need to push, we were defending our result.' I've liked a lot of things about the team in terms of putting pressure [on]. I think [in] the first half we haven't finished the things – we've had a lot of balls on the edge of the box, inside the box, where we haven't finished the play, we haven't shot. Actually, they punished us in the first goal because we don't finish it and it's a clear chance. I think [in the] second half we've been more decisive – I think [in] the goal from Cody but also we put a lot more pressure [on], we create more set-plays, more crosses, more things inside the box. I think it's a reward. It's not a lot, one point, but at least it's something that is deserved.

🔴 On Szoboszlai taking the penalty...

I think we have not only Dom and Alexander [Isak] – we have more very good specialists. Alexis [Mac Allister] also was on the pitch and he's a very good penalty-taker, Cody – we have a lot. But I think Dom showed the level. It's an almost impossible penalty to stop. I was happy obviously because at the end we recovered one point. I also think there is a clearer penalty before the Victor [Munoz] one to Victor again, but I think the referee whistles just before, so they cannot give it to you, but I think it was even more clear than the second one. I'm happy also for Victor because he has created problems to his opposition and I think these players from the bench that can alter games are going to be important for us.

🔴 On the manner of the two goals Liverpool conceded...

It's not a big surprise [when] you face Newcastle, one of the fastest top lines in the league probably in terms of speed I think. There are different reasons why we conceded both goals, even though both are transitions. The first one I think we should just finish the play. I think we created a great chance. I think it's a four-v-three, we are on the edge of the box and it's a clear situation to shoot. We decide not to shoot, we don't finish it properly and then you have to give credit to Elanga, who wins the race. Second one, I think we had the numbers to defend it better. It's not like they caught us by surprise. First one, you can argue with this [but] second one we had numbers, but we don't defend it properly. We should compete for the first ball, probably even make a foul, be a little bit more aggressive against the ball carrier because we had numbers to defend it.

You don't want to concede transitions. We have been preparing during the week for transitions, but this is football and there is a reason why Newcastle are so good there. It's a shame for us because I think we've controlled quite well over all the game and we haven't conceded too much. You always are going to concede, playing against Newcastle here, but they've been also very, very good. When we've had these open spaces, you have to give credit to them also.

🔴 On Isak's return to St. James' Park...

I think he expected a little bit the atmosphere, I don't think [it] has been a big surprise for him. I think he has tried everything, has given us good positions on the ball. [He] probably has had a couple of situations to finish inside the box, but probably not the clearest that he wanted or we wanted, but I value that. He has continued pushing on in the game, fighting, and I think it's a good step for Alex for being the first game.

🔴 On how he can prevent the kind of goals Liverpool conceded...

I think it's just not personnel. I understand, you are telling me basically that Ryan Gravenberch is the six and he is on the edge of the box, but if he shoots and he scores we are saying what a play from Ryan Gravenberch. I also don't want to take this from his game, but we have to adapt as a team to these situations and we have to know that these situations can happen. I think the second goal probably we did better in terms of having the numbers to defend, we don't make the foul, go to the first challenge, probably reduce the distance with the ball carrier, so it's an incredible goal. Situations [are] just not because one person is playing there, [it] is something that we have to correct between a lot of players.