--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-09-21T02:17:10.756Z data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/liverpool/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGl2ZXJwb29sZWNoby5jby51ay9zcG9ydC9mb290YmFsbC9mb290YmFsbC1uZXdzL2FuZG9uaS1pcmFvbGEtaGFpbHMtdGlyZWxlc3MtbGl2ZXJwb29sLTM0NjIzMzMw --- # Iraola hails tireless Liverpool trio and 'contagious' forward firmly in plans - **Source:** - **Club:** Liverpool - **Original URL:** https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andoni-iraola-hails-tireless-liverpool-34623330 Goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and substitute Dominik Szoboszlai earned victory for a much-changed Reds side as Ronald Araujo was the only player retained from the the starting XI that drew 0-0 at home to Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday. Lewis Koumas, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell were all handed their first starts of the season against Spurs. The impressive Koumas produced a man-of-the-match performance up front and Iraola was delighted with the trio, along with Rio Ngumoha, as he pointed to their work-rate throughout the game. “I was happy for them. Different positions, different demands,” the Liverpool head coach said. “But I think the best thing is they were dead when I subbed them. “Trey was cramping, Rio couldn’t have run a lot more. McConnell the same. When this happens, it’s because you’ve given us what you’ve got. “They have been very athletic, willingness to win their duels, making their presence felt. I was happy for them.” Iraola continued: “I said it in the week (about Koumas) and I say it for a reason. I see him training every day. He knows very clearly what he needs to do, what the team needs. “And also the energy he shows is contagious for the rest. When you see the runs upfront, giving everything, you are kind of forced to go behind and use the same intensity levels. I am very happy for him also. “It’s true that I made a lot of changes but I think I needed to do it because we could see the other day that we lacked a bit of energy the other day and we needed fresh legs. “I am happy because all the players have given us intensity and aggressiveness. I think we have been good during lots of parts of the game. “And also happy because we deserved to win the game and earned the right to be in the next round.”