Iraola: We need to be very, very good to beat City

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has warned his side must produce a near-perfect performance to defeat Premier League leaders Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

The Reds return from the international break seven competitive matches into Iraola's reign, with City arriving unbeaten and top of the table.

"We've been unbeaten but they've won all of them, so it makes a big difference in their side," Iraola told beIN SPORTS. "I think we need to be very, very good if we want to beat City because they've been especially offensively scoring a lot of goals lately."

Iraola said the international break had given him time to assess the squad's progress. He identified a need to better balance defensive solidity with attacking fluidity, pointing to the Newcastle fixture as an example where transition goals were conceded despite a largely positive display.

On injuries, the 44-year-old confirmed that both Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo left their respective national teams with knocks. "Right now they are both injured," he said, adding that their availability for Sunday's match remained uncertain.

Iraola stopped short of setting a specific points target or league position for the season. "I think we have to arrive as high as we can, we have to be the best team we can be," he said. "I'm sure that if we can give these players a good platform, a good structure, we will be there fighting for the titles."

On the atmosphere expected at Anfield, Iraola said the occasion demands Liverpool's best. "We know we will have to be at our best and also I know that the people will be looking to help the team," he added.