Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola bemoans lack of creativity and cutting edge against Fulham and explains Bradley Barcola plan
Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Fulham as Andoni Iraola's wait for a first home Premier League win as Reds manager continues; Iraola: "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."
Saturday 12 September 2026 19:46, UK
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola bemoaned lack of creativity and cutting edge after his side were held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham at Anfield.
The result leaves Iraola unbeaten so far this term, but Liverpool have yet to win at home in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool struggled to create opportunities against a Fulham team that had lost their opening three games, with Iraola insisting afterwards that his side's shortcomings were evident.
"I think what was lacking, I think it was quite clear," Iraola said.
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"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.
"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."
Iraola: Players lacked freshness
The Reds lacked the energy they showed in their midweek Champions League win over Atletico Madrid, but Iraola refused to use fatigue as an excuse for his side's failure to pick up all three points.
"Our players were tired," he said.
"I think there is a lack of freshness, definitely. We cannot hide it.
"I think it's the worst turnaround in terms of 60-something hours between the games, after a very big game (against Atletico Madrid) 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. We have to adapt to these circumstances.
"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.
"We've been clearly not as good offensively as we've been in other days."
Barcola makes full PL debut from left
Bradley Barcloa made his full Premier League debut in the game and was deployed from the left in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Victor Munoz starting the game on the right.
Explaining his thinking, Iraola said: "I think I said it a lot of times. I think we have four wingers. Probably, before the season, everyone will say there are more left wingers than right wingers, because they play more there.
"I think all the wingers will play on the right and will play on the left. Depending on the match-up, depending on where we think they are going to be more dangerous, depending on the defensive demand, depending on what we feel, what we analyse, we position them in the right or in the left.
"But I think Bradley, I think everyone. The four of them already have played both sides and it's going to be a whole season like this because of the wingers, with a lot of times the same preferences."
Iraola added: "I think with Bradley now we are building also his physical condition, because he hasn't had any in pre-season and I think there is a good part where today he played, I think, a little bit more than three days ago against Atletico Madrid.
"He had a good chance in the second half, they blocked the shot but he arrived well.
"Probably, we know he has more, but now it's about giving him the minutes, keep building his confidence also and he's a player that is worthy of our support."
