Andoni Iraola says signing a specialist holding midfielder is not the solution to the issues that affected Liverpool in their 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time penalty salvaged a point at St James’ Park after Liverpool twice fell behind.
Both Newcastle goals came on the counter-attack, exposing Liverpool’s vulnerability out of possession.
A lack of protection for the backline was also a recurring issue last season, but Iraola believes Liverpool can address the problem on the training pitch.
“It’s not just personnel,” Andoni Iraola said after the match. “I understand that Ryan Gravenberch is basically the No. 6 and is on the edge of their box (before Newcastle’s first goal). If he shoots and scores then we are saying what a play from Ryan Gravenberch.
“I don’t want us to take that from his game but we have to adapt as a team to these situations. We have to know these situations can happen.
“For the first one I think we should just finish the great chance we created. We were on the edge of the box with a clear situation to shoot, but we didn’t and then you have to give credit to Elanga for winning the race.”
Iraola said Liverpool could have defended the second goal better, particularly “in terms of having the numbers.”
“It wasn’t like they caught us by surprise,” he explained. “We should compete for the first ball and probably make a foul — be a bit more aggressive against the ball carrier.
“There were different reasons for both the goals which happened in transition. We have been preparing in the week for these transitions but there’s a reason why Newcastle are so good at them.
“It’s not just because one person is playing there (as a holding midfielder). It’s something we have to correct between a lot of players.”
The head coach felt that Liverpool were good value for a point — despite trailing for so long at St James’ Park.
“We had to wait until the end but I think we did more than enough to score that goal,” he added. “They tell me the stats are for us in terms of creating more. But they could say they were winning so we were the team who needed to push.
“I have liked a lot of things about my team. In the second half we were more decisive. We had more pressure and created more. It’s only one point but it was deserved.”
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