Why Liverpool’s drab draw with Fulham showed Andoni Iraola’s biggest issue

In Liverpool's recent Premier League encounter against Fulham, Andoni Iraola's team displayed a disjointed and unimpressive performance, failing to secure a victory. As the Spanish manager took charge of the Liverpool job, this was his first test in winning games after midweek Champions League dates. However, Fulham emerged victorious, marking their first point of the season.

Alvaro Arbeloa, a defender with a commendable record at Liverpool, contributed to the win, becoming the first player in the Premier League to achieve a point in Iraola's reign. Iraola himself celebrated the draw, acknowledging that the team was more balanced today, particularly in defense. He also commended the debut of Austrian center-back David Affengruber, who proved his worth during the match.

However, Iraola's side struggled to create chances and score goals, a clear indication of the issues that persist under his leadership. Liverpool's busy week, including a demanding turnaround of just 60 or 70 hours between games, is cited by Iraola as a contributing factor to their underwhelming performance. Despite this, he insists that excuses cannot be made for the team's shortcomings.

The run of draws has become a concerning trend for Liverpool, with the team failing to secure a win in their last two league games at Anfield. This, combined with a lack of strong performances from the players, particularly the recently signed £106m striker Alexander Isak, suggests that the squad might not be potent enough to contend in the Premier League despite the significant investment made in the past 16 months.