Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola makes Liverpool admission and addresses racist abuse allegation

'That's why' - Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola makes Liverpool admission and addresses racist abuse allegation

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola saw his team slip to a 4-2 Premier League defeat against Liverpool on Friday evening

Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth (Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola believes Liverpool demonstrated why they are champions when inflicting a dramatic late defeat on his team. The Reds started the defence of their Premier League crown by scoring twice in the closing minutes to earn a 4-2 win over the Cherries at Anfield on Friday evening.

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Iraola's side had fallen behind to goals from Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo before Antoine Semenyo scored twice to level the match, only for substitute Federico Chiesa to strike on 88 minutes before Mohamed Salah netted in additional time of a rollercoaster occasion.

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And Iraola said: "I'm really pleased with the performance. Today we have missed a big chance to take something from the game, probably the game was quite level on both sides and we played well.

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"The key was not to concede four goals and today wasn't a game to concede four goals. When the momentum was on our side, after scoring the 2-2, the third goal was a poor one to concede.

"Two players going for the same ball, the clearance and then Chiesa finishes very well.

"That’s why they are so good. In moments where they are struggling and not having the chances, someone appears. In this case it was Chiesa who made the difference.

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"It is a shame because we are so proud of the things we have done. The players have given everything. The easiest thing was to give up at 2-0 as we were playing well, but it didn’t happen. It's true we missed the last part, though."

The game was Liverpool's first competitive fixture at Anfield since the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash last month.

"It has been very, very emotional," added Iraola. "Before the game, the minute before the whistle, then in the 20th minute... obviously you are in the game, but you are aware of everything that is happening.

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"For a player it has to be a pleasure playing here in this level of the game, of the supporters. The most important thing though is the tribute of Diogo and his brother."

Iraola also addressed the incident in which Semenyo alleged he was subject to racist abuse from a Liverpool supporter, which prompted the game to be stopped for several minutes as referee Anthony Taylor informed both managers of what had happened.

Liverpool later issued a statement, with Merseyside Police having opened an investigation after the fan in question was identified and escorted from the stadium at half-time by three police officers.

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"I didn’t notice it live but straight away the referee explained the situation to both managers," said Iraola. "To be fair, from the Liverpool side they have identified this person.

"It is a shame that in the first game of the Premier League, a very good game, we have to start talking about these things.

"Obviously they are not from the past. We have to keep reinforcing the messages. It is a big shame because the news will be about this thing. It has to be as it is something that is still a big problem, not just in football but overall. We should be talking about what a good game it has been."

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