Andoni Iraola was speaking after Liverpool drew 0-0 with Fulham at Anfield
Wataru Endo prior to the game against Fulham (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Wataru Endo prior to the game against Fulham (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View Image
Andoni Iraola pointed to Liverpool's failure to press properly in midfield as a reason behind their miserable goalless draw against Fulham.
The Reds struggled to create chances as they were held to a dismal Premier League stalemate at Anfield on Saturday against a team who hadn't taken a point from their opening three games.
Victor Munoz came closest to scoring for Liverpool while Jeremy Jacquet had to make a goalline clearance from Gonzalo Garcia as Fulham had the better of the first half.
Liverpool started with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch as their midfield partnership but were alarmingly porous at times, much to the annoyance of the home crowd.
Andoni Iraola spared Arne Slot treatment but must answer £397.5m Liverpool question
And Iraola said: "Especially in the first half, we were arriving late for the presses, that is clear. I think we improved this part a lot in the second half. We have been better structured and we controlled better the game in the second half.
"Even without scoring the goal, I was feeling more comfortable. Even if we haven't been incredible, and it was a struggle sometimes, we haven't conceded clear chances. The one we conceded was the one where we messed up the goal kick and that is the only clear chance we conceded.
"From there we have defended quite well in terms of keeping a clean sheet. We had probably our best chances coming from set plays, hitting the crossbar, and one chance from Alex in the second half, but not a clear enough one that can score the goal you need in these kind of games when you are not playing well."
Alexis Mac Allister replaced Gravenberch midway through the second half but fellow midfielders Wataru Endo and Trey Nyoni both remained unused on the bench.
Endo has yet to feature this season but could be in line for a role in the League Cup visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday with Iraola expected to rotate his squad heavily.
And the Liverpool boss said: "Wata lost quite a lot of the pre-season. He is still not at his best but he is training very well.
"The problem is in front of him in his position I have a lot of players. He is competing against a lot of players.
"We are giving minutes to Trey, Ryan, Alexis and Dom, players that I am selecting right now. But Wata is definitely a player that I like and for sure he will have his moments."