Liverpool has a few concerns for Andoni Iraola to sort out, with the goalless draw against Fulham highlighting several key issues including the midfield partnership
Andoni Iraola applauds the Liverpool fans at Anfield.
Andoni Iraola applauds the Liverpool fans at Anfield.(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
So far this calendar year, Liverpool has won just four times at Anfield in the Premier League. In the other eight matches that it has played, it has drawn seven and lost one.
If Andoni Iraola is to be successful this term, then that is going to have to change quickly. So too is the current disjointed state of his attack, with much work to be done on the relationship between big-money additions Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Bradley Barcola.
Victor Munoz had moments, like when he came close with a header, but there was nothing sustained, and he quickly faded after the first half an hour or so. Meanwhile, Rio Ngumoha couldn't turn the tide when he arrived.
This was, don't forget, a Fulham side lacking confidence, having lost every game to date. Alvaro Arbeloa's job was said to be under scrutiny as a result of the early struggles in his tenure.
Ironically, by the end, the Spaniard would have been frustrated that his side couldn't have come away with a victory. It had chances in the first half and successfully restricted Liverpool in the second.
It very much looked like Iraola's men had played three games in eight days, especially as the second half progressed, but that is not an excuse for a side that opted for quality over quantity this summer.
Alexander Isak and Antonee Robinson during Liverpool vs Fulham.
Alexander Isak and Antonee Robinson during Liverpool vs Fulham.(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
The relentless schedule, which continues with the midweek visit of Tottenham, has always been a concern, and the fact that the players looked tired at this stage is a worry.
Alexis Mac Allister was taken out — presumably for a rest — but that backfired. The midfield that started, with Ryan Gravenberch playing alongside Dominik Szoboszlai for the first time since Newcastle, simply didn't work.
Gravenberch and Szoboszlai individually showed flashes, but neither impressed. The former was too passive at times, while the latter sometimes looked like he was trying too hard.
Szoboszlai's passing range largely deserted him, and his driving forwards more often than not saw him bundling into blind alleys here.
His performance was a long way off where it needs to be, and it would be fair to say the Szoboszlai-Gravenberch pivot is yet to work this season, which, given they have both just signed long-term contract extensions, is not ideal.
Content Image
Content Image
"I think what was lacking was quite clear," Iraola said. "I think it's the first game since I'm here that we've had problems creating chances to score goals, to make the difference offensively.
"That's the main reason that we couldn't create as many chances as we wanted. We haven't scored a goal and that's why we go with just one point."
Fail to win at Bournemouth next weekend, which will be a far from straightforward fixture, and Iraola will face the prospect of entering the international break — a three-week long edition, nonetheless — with just one league win from five.
It is not all doom and gloom, clearly, and it is early enough for teething problems to be accepted. The opening four games for Liverpool have largely, though, looked like a major work in progress.