Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has urged perspective after back-to-back losses to Arsenal and Fenerbahce soured the mood at Anfield.
The 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last week left Liverpool nine points adrift of the Premier League summit, and three days later, the Reds suffered their first Champions League defeat of the season in Turkey.
Speaking to reporters on Friday ahead of Sunday's trip to struggling Crystal Palace, Iraola acknowledged the pain of the two losses but stressed the need for balance.
Iraola: 'We Must React'
"One week ago in this press conference, we were on a run, everything was in a good place, and we were in a better mood," the Spaniard said. "And now, two defeats, it changes, and it has to change. It has to be like this, in clubs like ours. And now we have to react. After two defeats, we need the win against Palace away."
Iraola, in his first campaign as Liverpool boss after succeeding Arne Slot in June, admitted that highs and lows are inevitable so early in his reign.
"When we lose a game everyone is angry but we have to have some perspective and we know in the process there will be ups and downs," said the former Bournemouth boss. "We are not as bad as we look today, we were not as good as we looked one week ago and we have to have some perspective. This is part of my challenge also in terms of mood for the group."
Liverpool will be desperate to return to winning ways against a Crystal Palace side that has struggled for form this season. The Reds will need to quickly regroup and rediscover the rhythm that had Anfield buzzing just a week ago.
Iraola's call for calm is a reminder that football is a marathon, not a sprint, and that perspective is key in the face of adversity.
