Liverpool’s Early Slump Under Iraola Continues with Frustrating Fulham Draw

Update 1 · 12th September 2026

Liverpool's Early Slump Under Iraola Continues with Frustrating Fulham Draw

Liverpool's transition under new head coach Andoni Iraola hit another setback at Anfield as a flat performance resulted in a goalless draw against Fulham. The result leaves the Reds unbeaten but with only six points from their opening four Premier League matches, having previously drawn with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle alongside a single victory at Ipswich.

The slow start at home represents a historical anomaly for the Merseyside club. For just the third time in 63 years, Liverpool have failed to win both of their opening two home league matches of a season, following an earlier dropped points display against Nottingham Forest.

Attacking Struggles and Physical Fatigue

Iraola handed a first Premier League joint start to his £364m attacking frontline of Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, and Florian Wirtz. However, the trio struggled for fluidity against Fulham's defense. Isak recorded just 16 touches over the full 90 minutes, marking his second-lowest match total for Liverpool after managing 14 against Forest two weeks earlier.

Alexander Isak recorded 16 touches in 90 minutes against Fulham, his second-fewest for Liverpool after logging 14 touches against Nottingham Forest..

Signs of exhaustion were evident throughout the squad following a demanding midweek Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid. Iraola made proactive changes, withdrawing left-back Kostas Tsimikas at half-time before replacing Ryan Gravenberch and Victor Munoz at the hour mark, but the substitutes failed to break Fulham's resolve.

BBC News reportedly quoted Andoni Iraola (Liverpool head coach) as saying: “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.”.

BBC News reportedly quoted Alisson (Liverpool goalkeeper) as saying: “We are not happy at all with the draw. It is not something that should happen with Liverpool. To be unbeaten, but with three draws, is not something to celebrate too much with this shirt.”.

• Liverpool have dropped four points at home in their opening two Anfield fixtures.
• The £364m frontline of Isak, Barcola, and Wirtz lacked sharpness following mid-week Champions League action.
• Andoni Iraola faces challenges managing squad freshness with three games per week.