Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has admitted the club will experience “ups and downs” as he seeks consistency following a stuttering start to his tenure at Anfield.
Iraola, who replaced the sacked Arne Slot, saw Liverpool held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Fulham on Saturday after wins over Ipswich and Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool, already off the pace in the Premier League, will face Tottenham in the third round of the League Cup at Anfield on Tuesday.
“I understand the frustration the other day because we were also frustrated,” Iraola said.
“We were coming from two good games and were considering, ‘OK, it’s a step forward.’ You switch, it’s a step forward, Atletico Madrid, and then it’s a step backwards.
“The performance level is not like the two other days. But this happens in football. We have to accept that there are going to be ups and downs in this process.”
Iraola said Liverpool must replicate the performances they produced against Atletico Madrid and Ipswich.
“The key is consistency, to perform like this,” he added.
The Spaniard, appointed in June, also expressed satisfaction with his squad following the arrivals of Bradley Barcola, Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz.
Iraola indicated he would rotate his squad against Tottenham as he manages the demands of multiple competitions, confirming that Giorgi Mamardashvili will replace first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
“I am very happy with the squad. I value a lot the players we have,” he said.
“If we win games, the squad will look amazing and fantastic. If we don’t win, there are going to be problems. But I think we will see tomorrow players that we haven’t seen still, and I am really looking forward to seeing them because I feel they can help us.”
