Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has spoken out following his side's disappointing 0-0 stalemate with Fulham in the Premier League.
“When you draw, especially at home, it's hard to be satisfied. Today we lacked a bit of freshness, and we didn’t do enough in attack to change the game,” Iraola told BBC Match of the Day.
The Spaniard acknowledged that his team appeared slightly improved in the second half, but admitted they struggled with energy levels during the first period.
“We were good enough to keep a clean sheet. We played better in the second half, but in the first half, we started slowly, and we needed more energy. We must play much better in attack,” he added.
Iraola also pointed to the congested fixture schedule. Just three days prior, Liverpool faced Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, leaving little time for player recovery.
“It was less than three days, around 60 hours, since the match against Atletico Madrid. Many players had to adapt. Most changes were made for physical reasons because the players are tired. But that’s the season, and we play again in less than three days – on Tuesday, we face Tottenham in the League Cup,” he explained.
“We need to adapt and find ways to win.”
The Liverpool manager specifically commented on Bradley Barcola:
“Bradley is one of those players whose physical condition we are gradually improving through matches. Games will give him the needed fitness. But it’s not just about Bradley; we are generally lacking freshness. I can only recall one truly dangerous moment from Fulham. We maintained our team structure, but we must be far better in attack,” he stated.
Following the draw, Liverpool slipped points at home, and Iraola emphasised the need for improvement in attack ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
