Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola during the pre-season friendly match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday August 9, 2026.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola during the pre-season friendly match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday August 9, 2026.
After dropping points again in the Premier League at Anfield, Andoni Iraola said he does not think that his Liverpool players struggle with the pressure of home games.
Liverpool have won just four of their 12 Premier League home games in 2026, and they have drawn each of their last four domestic fixtures at Anfield.
It is a pattern that has continued from last season into this, with the Reds’ opening two home draws punctuated by a draw at Newcastle, a win at Ipswich and an Anfield victory over Atletico in Europe.
Following the 0-0 draw at home against Fulham, Iraola was asked if his players sometimes find it more of a challenge playing at Anfield because of the pressure they face.
The head coach responded: “I haven’t felt it. I didn’t feel it three days ago against Atletico Madrid!”
Among the reasons for Iraola’s appointment was the hope that he would bring a better brand of football to harness the crowd in L4 – against Atletico, we could see it working.
However, the drab draw with Fulham saw a return to the lethargic build-up play of last season.
“I prefer to play at home. Definitely, I prefer to be at home,” Iraola added.
“We cannot find the reasons outside; we have to find the reasons inside the pitch, in us. We know that if we push, the people will be with us. This is 100 percent.”
Anfield crowd can be ’12th man’ – but not at the moment
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2026: Liverpool supporters head for the exit and they leave before the end of the game during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. The game ended in a goal-less draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2026: Liverpool supporters head for the exit and they leave before the end of the game during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. The game ended in a goal-less draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Anfield is a supportive place known for driving the team on to unlikely wins and creating an atmosphere that is very difficult for the opposition to control.
However, the crowd can occasionally have an adverse effect on the Reds.
After winning the league under Arne Slot, fans gradually became more frustrated with how things were developing last season.
Players came in for criticism and the coach certainly received the ire of supporters who weren’t seeing any progression across the campaign.
The rarest of sounds, boos, were even heard at Anfield towards the end of last season – and it seems the ground is still suffering from a hangover.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. The game ended in a goal-less draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. The game ended in a goal-less draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While there is a desire to get behind the team, when fans see the problems of the previous year still causing issues, there are sometimes audible groans.
These sighs aren’t necessarily conscious criticisms of the side, but they are certainly felt on the pitch and can affect the confidence of players.
Iraola now has a job to revitalise the mentality of not just the players, but the fans too, and that starts with what happens on the pitch.
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. The game ended in a goal-less draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v AS Monaco
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch lines-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool v Fulham – Premier League – Anfield
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday September 12, 2026.