The fallout from Liverpool's underwhelming 0-0 draw with Fulham continues
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: Images)
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If there ever was a game to symbolise Liverpool's current status as a work in progress, then Saturday's 0-0 draw against Fulham would be it. Andoni Iraola's team may still be unbeaten but the stalemate marked their third draw of the season.
Listless in attack and struggling to dictate the tempo in the middle of the park, it was certainly an afternoon to forget at Anfield. Florian Wirtz has been on the receiving end of criticism ever since he arrived at Liverpool last season, for failing to live up to his lofty billing.
Today's Liverpool news sees the German star take more flak after he failed to help the Reds against Fulham. Elsewhere, Iraola has identified just why the Reds were found wanting in the disappointing draw.
Florian Wirtz question raised
Florian Wirtz has found himself at the centre of criticism again following the 0-0 draw with Fulham. Wirtz cost Liverpool an initial £100million, with a further £16m in add-ons, last summer.
He scored seven goals and bagged 10 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions last season, in a team that struggled under ex-manager Arne Slot.
This season, in five appearances, he has one assist to his name. Against Fulham, he struggled to display his quality, registering three shots with none on target. The German created two chances.
talkSPORT pundits Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara have targeted the Liverpool No. 10. As of September 4, a WhoScored stat claimed Wirtz has lost possession 53 times this season, more than any other player in the Premier League. O'Hara took issue with Wirtz's ability to hold onto 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.
Florian Wirtz has started all four of Liverpool's games this season
Florian Wirtz has started all four of Liverpool's games this season
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“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 defended the 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.”
Iraola places the blame
Iraola admitted Liverpool were lacking in forward areas against the Coattagers on Saturday afternoon. The Reds fielded an array of attacking talent, costing nearly £400m, as Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz and Florian Wirtz all started together in the Premier League for the first time.
All four were guilty of spurning chances. Afterwards, Iraola claimed his misfiring stars were the reason Liverpool came up 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.”
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