Liverpool has opened its Premier League home campaign with two draws, a statistical anomaly not seen at Anfield in 63 years. The team's goalless draw against Fulham on Saturday followed a disappointing performance after a midweek Champions League victory, leaving manager Andoni Iraola seeking offensive improvements.
Despite remaining unbeaten in the league, Liverpool has accumulated six points from their first four matches, dropping four points at home against Nottingham Forest and Fulham. A draw at Newcastle and a single win at Ipswich complete their early season record. Iraola acknowledged the team's struggles in creating scoring opportunities.
"What was lacking was quite clear, it is the first game we had problems to create chances and score goals and make the difference offensively, and that is the main reason we couldn't create chances," Iraola stated.
Goalkeeper Alisson expressed dissatisfaction with the team's home results. "We are not happy at all with the draw. It is not something that should happen with Liverpool," he told Sky Sports. "To be unbeaten, but with three draws, is not something to celebrate too much with this shirt."
Alisson also highlighted the need for mental fortitude and energy to manage a schedule of midweek and weekend fixtures. "If we want to do something special [this season] we have to cope with playing a game Wednesday, Saturday and then Tuesday. We need to have the right mental state and that was not the case from what we showed. Inside we have it, but we have to just put it out and put more energy on the pitch."
The attacking trio of Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, and Florian Wirtz started together for the first time in a league match. However, Isak registered only 16 touches in 90 minutes, and Wirtz appeared less impactful than in the Champions League fixture. Iraola noted that the team lacks freshness and needs to significantly improve its offensive output.
"Bradley is one we are building up physically with games and the games will give him the condition we want," Iraola said. "But it is not just Bradley, we lack the freshness. I only remember one clear chance [for Fulham] and we kept the structure but offensively we need to do much better."