Andoni Iraola has warned Liverpool they must be ready for a serious test when the Premier League returns after the international break.
Liverpool extended their unbeaten start with a narrow 1-0 victory at Bournemouth on Sunday, but Iraola knows performances like that may not be enough once the fixtures begin to pile up.
The Reds will return from the break with a huge Premier League showdown against Manchester City before travelling to face LASK in the Champions League.
Chelsea then await in the Carabao Cup, adding another demanding fixture to an already packed schedule.
For Iraola, Liverpool’s progress is clear, but so is the need for further improvement.
“I think overall we’ve improved, definitely since the first games,” Iraola said.
“Some of the things we still need to improve, more things. I am happy it is the third clean sheet in a row in the league.
“[It was] a kind of difficult game. I know you never play comfortably [at Bournemouth]. Bournemouth don’t allow you to play comfortably normally, they put you under pressure and you have to adapt and you have to win this kind of game.”
Liverpool’s victory at Bournemouth was built on patience and defensive discipline, with the clean sheet marking their third consecutive shutout in the league.
But Iraola is already looking beyond the result.
He knows Liverpool’s next phase will demand greater consistency, especially with high-level opposition arriving in quick succession.
“But we still have to get ready because the schedule that we have now, it’s very difficult. I think we are playing against top-four teams and then in between Champions League and then in between Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and everything in two, three days.
“So we have to get ready because this next month, after this break, it’s going be very demanding for us.”
The challenge will not only be about the number of matches.
Liverpool will also have to manage players returning from international duty, leaving Iraola with limited time to prepare his squad for the Manchester City clash.
The former Bournemouth boss plans to give the “four or five” players who are not involved with their national teams a few days off before they return to training.
However, once the international players return, Iraola expects to have only around three days to properly prepare for City.
That could make squad management crucial as Liverpool attempt to maintain their unbeaten run while competing across multiple competitions.
One player attracting particular attention is Jeremy Jacquet.
The 21-year-old defender was named player of the match against Bournemouth and has now earned his first senior international call-up for Zinedine Zidane’s France squad.
Jacquet already has a connection with Zidane, having played alongside the France boss’ son, Elyaz, at youth level.
“He’s going with France and that is a big national team and I know that he is happy,” said Iraola.
“He’s still very young, he is adapting really well to the Premier League. I think in the first games, physically he was feeling the change of rhythm, he was finishing with cramps, finishing really tired and we had to sub him.
“[Sunday] has been a step forward. He looked solid until the end and I think he’s finished physically also in a good place. I hope he can continue this development.”
Jacquet’s progress could prove particularly important as Liverpool enter a period where depth, fitness and consistency will be tested.
For now, the unbeaten start remains intact.
But Iraola’s message is already clear: Liverpool cannot afford to relax.
The next month could bring Premier League pressure, European competition and a Carabao Cup battle in rapid succession.
And Liverpool will have to be ready for all of it.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
