Iraola's Liverpool tighten up at the back as Isak scores at Bournemouth
September 20, 2026 19:30
Liverpool's win at Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola was defined more by defensive solidity than attacking fireworks. Alexander Isak scored — his fourth of the season — and the visitors recorded a third consecutive Premier League clean sheet, the club's first run of three shutouts since September 2024.
The three matches also shared a common statistical thread: Liverpool did not give up an expected goals (xG) figure greater than 0.76 in any of them.
KEY CONTEXT
Iraola highlighted the defensive improvement after the match, saying: "The more times they play together, the more solid the defensive line becomes." He named Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Milos Kerkez as players who are "getting the connections and becoming more solid." Goalkeeper Alisson produced a key first-half save to deny Evanilson, and centre-back Van Dijk also drew attention for his performance.
A notable positive has been Jacquet's adaptation. The 21-year-old, who joined from Rennes for £60m, has started every Premier League game since his move in the summer and has earned a first France call-up from manager Zinedine Zidane — he is poised to make his international debut over the upcoming break. Van Dijk said of Jacquet: "I think he has showed a lot of good things so far this season. Still so young, a lot to learn and a lot to give. Let's keep it going."
Iraola's start in charge has been unbeaten across his first five league games — the first Liverpool boss to do so since Joe Fagan in September 1983. The team has collected nine points from a possible 15 in the Premier League and also recorded wins at Anfield in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Iraola warned that the coming schedule will be demanding, noting league fixtures against top-four teams will come amid Champions League commitments and a Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea. He said the period after the international break will be "very demanding" and stressed the squad must be ready.