Ronald Araujo and Alexander Isak stood out as Iraola Liverpool beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday. Araujo battled for 90 minutes at the back, while Isak finished the chance that doubled the lead.
The result lifts Andoni Iraola’s side to fourth in the Premier League table. Afterwards, the head coach described the three points as “very valuable” and picked out the qualities that shaped the game.
How the Goals Arrived at Anfield
Liverpool needed only 17 minutes to take control. Pascal Gross turned the ball into his own net to hand the hosts the lead.
Alexander Isak followed soon after with a finish of his own. Two goals in quick succession gave Liverpool a platform that Brighton never managed to break down.
The early cushion mattered. It allowed Liverpool to manage the match from a position of strength rather than chase it.
Iraola Liverpool Verdict: “Very Happy” With the Run
Iraola was clear about his mood after the final whistle. He said he was very happy with the day and with the four wins in a row.
He also gave Brighton credit. He described them as a technically excellent opponent, similar to Villarreal in the recent game against them. Teams like that, he explained, are hard to defend against for long spells.
That respect for the visitors makes the clean sheet and the two-goal margin look even better.
Why the Start Changed Everything
The head coach pointed to the opening phase as the key moment. In his words, Liverpool needed a stronger start, and they delivered one.
He wanted his players to be aggressive, win the ball back, take their duels and threaten in transition. By his account, they did all of that.
This game also felt different from recent matches. In those, Liverpool conceded first and then had to fight back. This time they set the tone and the contest followed a different path.
Isak Finds the Net Again
Iraola was asked about Alexander Isak and gave a simple summary of what the striker needs. If Liverpool put him in the right positions and supply good crosses, he will score.
The coach also credited the build-up. He highlighted Bradley Barcola winning his duel, going one-on-one and beating his opponent for pace before finding a dangerous area.
That is a straightforward template for Liverpool’s attack. Wingers win their battles, the ball reaches the No.9 in good spots, and the finishing follows.
Duels Decide the Contest
Iraola returned several times to the importance of duels. He admitted he had not yet seen the statistics, but he knew how the match unfolded.
Both teams press and both try to build from the back. Brighton also went direct at times, using long balls towards Diego Gomez. Meanwhile, Liverpool sometimes chose a more direct route too.
With both defensive lines positioned high, every duel carried extra weight. Winning one opened space for a winger to run at a defender or for the No.9 to attack the ball. According to Iraola, Liverpool did this very well in the first half.
Araujo Delivers a Fighting 90 Minutes
Ronald Araujo earned some of the warmest praise of the afternoon. Iraola said his defender’s battling spirit “helps a lot” and that everyone enjoyed watching him compete.
The coach said Araujo is very good in duels and pointed to the opening goal as proof. Araujo won two duels in a row and reached the byline. Iraola said it was not officially an assist but was worth one.
His defensive work also drew praise. Iraola called it “really, really good”.
A Selection Decision That Paid Off
There was a personal angle to the praise. Iraola had taken Araujo off at half-time in the previous two games because the team needed more attacking options.
The coach said the defender kept working without any issues. Against Brighton, Liverpool needed him more, and Araujo gave a “very, very good 90 minutes”.
Iraola said he was happy for him. It was a clear example of a squad player responding well to a tactical call.
Defensive Discipline in the Second Half
The match changed shape after the break. Iraola described the first half as even, with both teams defending high and leaving space behind their back lines.
After the interval Liverpool dropped deeper and became more compact. They gave Brighton far less room to work with.
That adjustment suited the opposition. Iraola noted that Brighton cross the ball often, according to the statistics. Stopping them meant doing the basics well:
- Clearing the ball properly
- Blocking shots
- Blocking crosses
- Winning second balls
He said his defenders handled those jobs well overall, and he was pleased with their appetite to protect the penalty area, especially after half-time.
Iraola on Liverpool’s Most Significant Win
Iraola was asked whether this was his most significant win at the club. He said he was not sure.
He said the league position matters and has to be valued. He also named the two Champions League games at Anfield as ones he liked. He singled out the Atletico Madrid match as a game he enjoyed a lot, and he mentioned the recent comeback too.
He then weighed up the circumstances. Considering the run of games Brighton were coming from, he called this “a very valuable win”. He added that he hopes Liverpool can produce better ones.
That last comment shows the ambition behind the satisfaction. Iraola is pleased with the progress but has bigger targets in mind.
What the Win Means for the Reds
Four wins in a row have given Liverpool momentum and lifted them to fourth in the Premier League. More importantly, the Brighton game showed the side can control a match from the first whistle instead of relying on comebacks.
Iraola’s formula is easy to read. Start aggressively, win duels, use pace on the wings and trust Isak to finish the chances. Defensively, stay compact and do the basics.
Araujo’s performance also adds encouragement. He bounced back from two games in which he was substituted at half-time with a complete display, and his intensity set an example.
If Iraola Liverpool can keep delivering starts like this one, the Reds will be hard to stop. Supporters will watch closely to see whether this run keeps growing.