Liverpool boss admits major problem after Fulham draw just 60 hours after Atletico Madrid win | OneFootball

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has admitted the team is struggling with congested fixtures and maintaining peak physical fitness following a disappointing draw against Fulham at Anfield.

Coming just 60 hours after their thrilling midweek Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid, the Reds produced a flat offensive performance that left the Spanish manager searching for solutions.

Liverpool found themselves held to another domestic draw as they struggled to break down a resilient Fulham side, leaving Iraola frustrated.

Lacking the spark and intensity that characterised their midweek Champions League win, the hosts managed to keep a clean sheet but created very little in front of goal.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the final whistle, Iraola expressed his dissatisfaction with the result and the team’s sluggish performance:

“When you draw, especially at home, you can’t be happy. Today we lacked a bit of freshness and we did not do enough offensively to make the difference.

We have been good enough to keep the clean sheet. It was slightly better in the second half. In the first half we started the game slow, we lacked energy and it was not enough, we have to be offensively better.”

Andoni Iraola reflects on draw as he makes major admission

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Liverpool head coach candidly pointed to the grueling fixture schedule as a primary factor behind the sluggish display.

“It is less than three days, 60 hours, [since playing Atletico Madrid] and a lot of players had to adapt,” Iraola admitted.

“Most of the changes were for physical reasons because the players were tired, but that is the season and in less than three days we will be here against Spurs [in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday]. We have to adapt and find ways to win.”

Addressing the integration of new signing Bradley Barcola, Iraola emphasised that match fitness is an issue across the squad: “Bradley is one we are building up physically with games and the games will give him the condition we want. 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.”

Liverpool are still unbeaten but need to turn draws into wins

While Liverpool remain unbeaten across all competitions under Iraola, turning single points into victories is becoming an urgent priority.

The lack of cutting edge has shown how much Mohamed Salah’s departure is being felt; had Liverpool kept their talismanic winger, his clinical finishing and veteran presence likely would have thrived in Iraola’s high-tempo tactical system.

Liverpool will now face Tottenham next in the Carabao Cup and Iraola must quickly find a way to re-energise the squad in what is expected to be a tough outing.