Liverpool played out a disappointing goalless draw with Fulham on Saturday afternoon
Andoni Iraola (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
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Liverpool might boast three £100m+ forwards in their side, but clearly it is going to take time for Andoni Iraola’s side to truly unleash their front-line.
Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz started together in the Premier League for the first time as the Reds took on Fulham on Saturday. But despite boasting a £397.5m attack, including Victor Munoz, they were unable to break down a stubborn Cottagers side.
Not that Bernd Leno was particularly busy. Liverpool were limited to just three shots on target, with Munoz’s near post header from a Dominik Szoboszlai corner the only time the German was tested before the break.
Following the interval, Szoboszlai would sting the goalkeeper’s gloves from distance while Isak would shoot tamely at Leno following a smart turn on the edge of the box. The Reds had little to show in a frustrating stalemate.
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Their big-money signings were brought in to be the difference in such encounters. Prior to facing Fulham, Iraola declared that Wirtz would be crucial to unlocking this new-look attack.
But despite glimpses of smart link-up with his fellow £100m team-mates, Liverpool were rarely consistently cohesive.
A shot fired wide across goal from Isak when running onto a Barcola through-ball was a rare example of what Iraola will hope can be a regular occurrence - albeit with a different outcome.
Liverpool drew nine times during the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, as supporters quickly grew weary of the tedious and tiresome displays as Arne Slot lost terrace backing and later his job.
Following such encounters, boos became a regular sound that greeted the final whistle. But there was never any possibility of a similar response with the new head coach now in charge.
There is a different feel about Iraola’s side and the reaction it attracts from supporters. For now, at least.
The Reds have now drawn four home Premier League matches in a row, against Chelsea, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Fulham, while they have been held in three of Iraola’s five matches in charge.
With three £100m+ forwards within their ranks, the Reds should not be fighting out 0-0 draws. But this is the first time they have failed to score, having fired twice in all of their previous matches.
They have shown glimpses of promise, even if Liverpool are still waiting to truly ignite.
For now, money cannot buy you happiness, it would seem. But Iraola needs to find a way to ensure they are not left waiting for long.