Iraola admits Liverpool are 'too honest' as fouls stat exposes Reds' struggles

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has acknowledged his squad is “sometimes too honest” after a damning fouls statistic emerged ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Reds have conceded the most fouls of any side in the Premier League this season — 128 — while only three clubs have won fewer fouls than Iraola’s side, who have earned just 88. The figures surfaced in the wake of back-to-back defeats against Arsenal, where Liverpool were denied a penalty despite Alexander Isak’s shirt being visibly pulled, and Fenerbahce in the Champions League.

“We are quite an honest group, sometimes too honest,” Iraola said at his pre-match press conference. “Even the other day after the game, the referee congratulated us… I’m not sure if I like that or not! Our behaviour was very good. I think it has to be genuine; you cannot fake things. We are willing, we want to press, we want to be intense — but the balance is that there’s a big difference.”

Liverpool currently sit fifth in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Arsenal after nine games. While their defensive record in the league has been solid — just nine goals conceded — their Champions League campaign tells a contrasting story, with ten goals shipped across four group-stage matches.

“It’s been a strange season,” Iraola added. “In the Champions League, we are scoring a lot and conceding a lot. In the Premier League, we are scoring less and conceding less. We obviously want to score more, concede less. It’s a matter of controlling the games.”

The Spaniard also pointed to tactical adjustments needed in the final third, particularly following the Arsenal defeat. “The way we attack the box has to be better. Sometimes we have to throw numbers in the box — it will take away more control, yes, but it gives us more threat.”

On the injury front, midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is touch and go to feature at Selhurst Park as he continues to manage pain in his heel.

With the mood at the club shifting sharply after two consecutive losses, Iraola was direct about what Sunday’s fixture means. “A week ago, we were on a run and in a good place and in a better mood. Now it changes and it has to be like this. We have to react after two defeats: we need the win against Palace away.”