Liverpool was held to a goalless draw by Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, and Andoni Iraola has pointed to a problem that plagued his side during the first half
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Andoni Iraola, Manager of Liverpool, applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham at Anfield on September 12, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola highlighted Liverpool's inadequate pressing in the middle of the park as a factor behind its disappointing goalless stalemate against Fulham.
The Reds toiled to fashion opportunities as they were restricted to another lackluster Premier League draw at Anfield on Saturday - their fourth straight stalemate at home in the league - against opponents who had failed to secure a point from their first three fixtures.
Victor Munoz went closest to breaking the deadlock for Liverpool while Jeremy Jacquet was forced into a goalline intervention to deny Gonzalo Garcia as Fulham enjoyed the superior spell during the opening period.
Liverpool deployed Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch as their central midfield duo but appeared worryingly exposed on occasions, prompting frustration amongst the Anfield faithful, reports the Liverpool Echo.
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.
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"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 came on for Gravenberch midway through the second period, but fellow midfielders Wataru Endo and Trey Nyoni both stayed on the bench throughout.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Wataru Endo of Liverpool interacts with fans as he walks out of the tunnel for the warm up before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham at Anfield on September 12, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Wataru Endo remained on the bench against Fulham
Endo is yet to appear this campaign but may be handed an opportunity in Tuesday's League Cup fixture against Tottenham Hotspur, with Iraola expected to rotate his squad heavily.
The Reds' head coach commented: "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."