Iraola defends Alisson and shares responsibility for Liverpool defensive errors

Andoni Iraola has defended Alisson following Liverpool’s defeats by Arsenal and Fenerbahce, saying responsibility for the goals should not fall on the goalkeeper alone. According to reporting by The Guardian’s Andy Hunter, Liverpool’s head coach also wants the 34-year-old to remain at Anfield beyond this season, although his contractual future has not been settled.

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Alisson was involved in the move that produced Arsenal’s winning goal in the Premier League last Sunday. Liverpool then suffered another defeat away to Fenerbahce in the Champions League during the week. Iraola said the defensive breakdowns involved several players, pointing in particular to the confusion surrounding the goals in Turkey and a deflection off Cody Gakpo for Fenerbahce’s second.

Addressing the Arsenal goal, Iraola accepted a share of the responsibility because he instructs his team to build attacks through short passes from the back. He acknowledged that Liverpool had mishandled the goal kick but stressed that eight defenders were still behind the ball after possession was lost. In his assessment, that meant the subsequent failure could not simply be attributed to Alisson’s initial involvement.

The goalkeeper had previously escaped punishment for similarly risky distribution against Fulham and Brighton before Kai Havertz capitalised at the weekend, The Guardian reported. Despite those incidents, Iraola does not want Alisson to abandon that approach. Instead, he described the task as helping players distinguish between opportunities to pass near their own penalty area and situations in which an aggressive opposition press calls for a more direct ball. He accepted that mistakes would occur while making those decisions.

There is also uncertainty over how much longer Alisson will remain at Liverpool. His contract has eight months left to run, as does captain Virgil van Dijk’s, and The Guardian reported no sign of an extension. Iraola did not offer a new agreement or a departure date when asked about the goalkeeper’s position.

The coach said he hoped Alisson would stay but could not say whether this would be his final season at Anfield. He left discussions over a contract to the player and club, keeping his support for the goalkeeper separate from any confirmation about his future.