Iraola says Liverpool 'moving in right direction' ahead of Como double-header

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a], ‌who lost pre-season fixtures against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/leeds/tUxUbLR2/"]Leeds United[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/monaco/2PIvr8o4/"]AS Monaco[/a], ‌will face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/como/ttyLthOA/"]Como[/a] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/como-ttyLthOA/liverpool-lId4TMwf/?mid=ngT0zLpn"]twice on Sunday[/a], with one ‌match to be played behind closed doors before the ‌second at Anfield.[/p][p]Iraola said he took positives from ‌last weekend's 3-2 defeat by Monaco but acknowledged his side must improve their consistency ahead of the new campaign.[/p][p][b]"The problem ‌we had, as we had against ⁠Leeds in Chicago, was ‌that we were not able to sustain our levels ​and that is something that can only happen with time and with a lot of ​hard work on the training ground,"[/b] Iraola told the club's TV channel.[/p][p][b]"I have spoken many times about ⁠the type of ​team I want to see on the pitch, about the intensity, the intent and the energy we are looking for, and while it is clear that there ‌is still a lot of improvement to come, I believe that we are moving in the right direction."[/b][/p][embed guid="60c9c5c1-015d-4a07-86ec-96b31268fea5" url="https://x.com/LFC/status/2088543969491767567" social-type="twitter" /][p]Iraola said Argentina midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mac-allister-alexis/fDPhMB8M/"]Alexis Mac Allister[/a] had returned to training after the World Cup, giving him a full squad ahead of the new season, and added that it was now up to the players to deliver consistent performances.[/p][p]Liverpool also strengthened their ‌defensive options by signing Uruguay international [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/araujo-ronald/M3sbJix9/"]Ronald Araujo[/a] on ​a season-long loan from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a] last week, ‌with Iraola welcoming the addition of a player of his quality and experience.[/p][p][b]"I am sure he will settle in quickly and have a positive impact on our squad,"[/b] he said.[/p][p]Liverpool will start ⁠their Premier League season ⁠at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/newcastle-utd/p6ahwuwJ/"]Newcastle United[/a] on ‌[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/liverpool-lId4TMwf/newcastle-p6ahwuwJ/?mid=4xKntFxe"]August 23[/a].[/p]