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Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has admitted his side lacked freshness, creativity and attacking quality in Saturday’s goalless draw with Fulham at Anfield.
The Reds struggled to create clear chances against a Fulham side that had lost their opening three Premier League matches, leaving Iraola still without a home league victory since taking charge.
“I think what was lacking, I think it was quite clear,” Iraola said after the match.
“I think it’s the first game since I’m here, I think we’ve had problems to create chances, to score goals, to make the difference offensively.”
Iraola acknowledged that Liverpool’s attacking shortcomings were the main reason they failed to take all three points, despite remaining unbeaten under the Spaniard this season.
“That’s the main reason. We couldn’t create as many chances as we wanted and we haven’t scored a goal. And that’s why we go just with one point,” he said.
The Liverpool boss also admitted his players lacked the energy they showed in Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid, with only about 60 hours between the two matches.
“Our players were tired,” Iraola said. “I think there is a lack of freshness, definitely. We cannot hide it.”
He, however, refused to use the demanding schedule as an excuse, insisting Liverpool must learn to cope with short turnarounds as the season progresses.
“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. We have to adapt to these circumstances,” he said.
Iraola said Liverpool needed an individual moment of quality to break down Fulham, but his players failed to produce it.
“It’s this kind of game 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 that today,” he said.
The manager also defended his decision to start Bradley Barcola, who made his first full Premier League start since joining Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth up to £123m. Iraola said the French forward was still building his physical condition through competitive matches.
Liverpool have now drawn three of their opening four Premier League matches, with Saturday’s stalemate also leaving Iraola still searching for his first home league win as manager.
