Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham at Anfield on Saturday and the fallout has continued
Florian Wirtz has started all four of Liverpool's games this season
Florian Wirtz has started all four of Liverpool's games this season(Image: Getty)
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There are moments in a season that lay bare exactly where a club stands, and Saturday's goalless stalemate against Fulham was one of them. Andoni Iraola's Liverpool side may be unbeaten, but a third draw of the campaign told its own story.
The signs were worrying throughout. Blunt up front and overrun in the middle of the park, Anfield was left frustrated rather than inspired. Florian Wirtz, a player carrying the weight of enormous expectation since his arrival at the club, did little to silence his doubters against Fulham.
Today's Liverpool news sees the German international draw further criticism. Meanwhile, Iraola has pinpointed exactly why the Reds came up short in the lacklustre draw.
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Florian Wirtz question raised
Wirtz has once again found himself firmly in the firing line following the 0-0 draw with Fulham. He set Liverpool back an initial £100million, with a further £16m in add-ons, last summer.
The midfielder contributed seven goals and 10 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions last season, in a struggling side under former boss Arne Slot.
This season, across five outings, he has managed just a single assist. Against Fulham, he was unable to showcase his capabilities, registering three shots with none troubling the goalkeeper. The German fashioned two chances.
talkSPORT pundits Jason Cundy and Jamie O'Hara have set their sights on the Liverpool No.10. As of September 4, a WhoScored statistic revealed Wirtz has surrendered possession 53 times this season, a higher figure than any other player in the Premier League.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has come in for criticism from some quarters(Image: Getty)
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O'Hara questioned Wirtz's capacity to retain the ball. He said: "You know the problem I have with him? I can accept him adapting to the physical side of the game, and it takes time, right, but to then watch him, he's getting the ball in space and giving it away.
"And it has nothing to do with the physicality of the Premier League. And I am watching and going, 'Stop giving it away'."
Cundy added: "Wirtz has been here now, right, this is his second season. I am not convinced that Wirtz is going to be a success. I think I might have seen enough."
Iraola has come to the defence of his star. "He played very well against Atletico Madrid," the Liverpool boss said ahead of the Fulham game. The game against Ipswich in the second half he lost more balls than normal but overall I have been very happy with his performances.
"He is a good player out of possession who helps us in our press. But he runs the same as the 10 of Arsenal, the 10 of (Manchester) City, the 10 of Fulham and more or less his stats are very similar to the number 10s other teams have."
Andoni Iraola delivers message
Iraola conceded that Liverpool were found wanting in attacking areas during Saturday afternoon's clash with the Cottagers. The Reds deployed a formidable array of attacking talent, collectively valued at nearly £400m, as Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz and Florian Wirtz all lined up together in the Premier League for the very first time.
All four were culpable of squandering opportunities. Speaking afterwards, Iraola suggested his misfiring forwards were the primary reason Liverpool fell short at Anfield.
"I think what was lacking, I think it was quite clear," he said. "It's the first game since I'm here, I think, that we've had problems to create chances, to score goals, to make the difference offensively.
"And that's the main reason. That we couldn't create as many chances as we wanted and we haven't scored a goal, and that's why we come away with just with one point.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz of Liverpool during 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 Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Liverpool's frontline drew a blank against Fulham(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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"In the end, it's the easiest one (reason) for me, for you, for everyone. Because our players were tired. I think there is a lack of freshness, definitely. There is, we cannot hide it.
"I think it's the worst turnaround in terms of, I think 60-something hours between the games after a very big game the other day. But this is going to happen more times, maybe with one more day, maybe, but sometimes it's going to happen the same way during the season, and we have to adapt to these circumstances.
"And it's these kind of games that you need to win, sometimes with a set play, sometimes with a shot from the edge, sometimes from a moment of brilliance from the offensive players, and we haven't had today. We've been clearly not as good offensively as we've been other days."