Iraola pointed out the lack of freshness on Saturday as a factor and now, just over 72 hours after that game, Liverpool will play at Anfield for the third time in less than a week when Tottenham are the visitors in the Carabao Cup third round.
As Iraola indicated at Monday's news conference, expect to see a heavily changed Liverpool line-up. Giorgi Mamardashvili will be in goal and fans will get the chance to "see some players we haven't seen yet". Iraola himself will also "see whether they can help us".
The Spaniard insists he is "very happy" with his squad and a cup game against Premier League opposition will provide a strong indication about how reliable his options really are.
Iraola on Mamardashvili starting, squad rotation and the 'collective' effortpublished at 15:05 BST 14 September
15:05 BST 14 September
Flora Snelson BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup game against Tottenham at Anfield (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Giorgi Mamardashvili will start in goal against Spurs. Defender Joe Gomez, who has been out with injury since July, is back training with the team and will be available.
Connor Bradley, who has been recovering from a knee injury since January, is not close to training with the team, but is touching the ball in individual training - Iraola expects Giovanni Leoni to return first.
Iraola suggested that Tuesday's team will feature players who we have not seen play before.
On squad rotation, he said he is still learning about his players and their capacity to deal with a busy fixture schedule: "There are players who play every three days with no issues. They are very robust, their performances don't change too much. There are other players where the risk is bigger and the performances are different."
Iraola is "frustrated" that his team took a "step backwards" against Fulham after stepping forward in their wins over Ipswich Town and Atletico Madrid, but noted: "We have to accept there are going to be ups and downs in this process."
He observed that the main issue against Fulham was that his players recovered the ball "a lot lower" on the pitch: "This is key in our system, to recover the ball as high as possible because it makes the offensive side a lot easier. Situations to attack in one-v-ones, or against fewer [players], are less [frequent] if you recover [the ball] in your half of the pitch."
When a reporter asked whether the issue around ball recovery and duels could be fixed by coaching, Iraola insisted that it is a "collective" effort - not just the responsibility of his midfielders: "When the team plays well, everyone looks better. The key is that we all play collectively well. Everyone looks smarter and in a better position."
He continued, explaining how on paper, defenders are made to look better when attacking team-mates are defending well from the front: "If the players in front of you are doing their job, the defenders and midfielders will win more duels because they are easier duels. The ball arrives not in the best condition and then you have more chances to win duels."
Asked about rumoured discussion between Virgil van Dijk and the Netherlands' national team manager Xavi regarding the future of the defender's international career, Iraola confirmed that he had spoken with them both but the contents of these conversations was private.
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:49 BST 14 September
09:49 BST 14 September
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Fulham.
Here are some of your comments:
Liverpool fans
Ian: The Fulham goalkeeper could have gone home, he wasn't needed. There was a total lack of effort all through the Liverpool team. We definitely need a left back because Tsimikas and Kerkez were woeful. A football match best forgotten.
Jack: Drab and disappointing. Fulham had a doddle against us and it is absolutely unacceptable for us to have a £350m+ attack and for Leno to be so untested and for their backline to be so unconcerned. The two small positives we can take are a clean sheet and another stellar Jacquet performance, but the one huge negative is it looks like we're going to struggle with two games a week. Worries starting to set in.
Xavier: Our defence is stabilising, thanks to Jacquet and Ronald. Attack is okay, they can score goals but there are no balls in the final third. I blame the board for not strengthening the midfield ever since Fabinho left. There's no coordination at all. A natural six is needed to strike a balance, if not we are doomed.
Fraser: Not a good performance but this is a learning curve for Iraola. We are nowhere near a finished product and a work in progress. Fans need to be patient with Iraola, it is going to take time for his ideas to get across our players. Disappointing start to the season, but no need to panic just yet.
Fulham fans
Jeremy: After four poor games defensively, Fulham were fabulous in defence. Bassey has a partner! The attack will come - lightweight but energetic and will click and gel as the weeks go by because King is magical and such a quick learner. Stansfield would fit in these front four perfectly. Just need a Mitrovic or Kane.
Terry: Arbeloa told us to "trust the process " and, on the basis of this evidence, he was right! He made a couple of changes and they made the difference. Affenberger was fantastic alongside Bassey, and Castagne and Robinson ran themselves into the ground. Berge and Charles controlled the midfield brilliantly, and King fully deserved his POTM award. Liverpool were made to look poor because we didn't allow them to play.
Quinn: We need to accept the reality of how much Liverpool's win against Atletico affected their performance. However, it felt like a more solid performance from Fulham and I think that, and the team selection, suggests Arbeloa is learning. Stability first, then flair. Next home game will be crucial.
Rob: Much much better after the carnage in the first two home games. Something to build on and positive signs. Not many sides will earn a shut out at Anfield this season.
'Hardly a crisis' but Reds 'looked physically and mentally tired'published at 08:28 BST 14 September
08:28 BST 14 September
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Two Premier League matches at Anfield. Two draws.
For just the third time in 63 years, Liverpool have failed to win either of their opening home games of a league season - not exactly the flying start new boss Andoni Iraola would have been dreaming of.
After such an encouraging midweek performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, full of urgency, Saturday's goalless draw against Fulham was a flat follow-up, especially with the Cottagers lacking in confidence and having conceded seven goals in their first three league games.
The Reds looked physically and mentally tired and, to put it bluntly, like an entirely different team to the one that won against a Diego Simeone side that made it to the Champions League semi-finals last season.
On the first real look at how Iraola's style will cope with two games a week, this was certainly not what the Liverpool head coach, nor the Anfield crowd, would have wanted to see.
His side are still unbeaten and it is hardly a crisis, but he will look at a return of six points from their first four Premier League games as disappointing, particularly by dropping four points at home to Nottingham Forest and Fulham, with another draw coming at Newcastle and their sole success at Ipswich.
The £364m attacking trio of Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz started together for the first time in a league game and although Liverpool had decent chances, they created nowhere near enough.
Isak's 16 touches in 90 minutes was the second fewest for an outfield Reds player on record, having had the fewest (14) against Forest a fortnight ago.
German Wirtz looked a shadow of the player who was terrific in midweek against Atleti and while Barcola and Isak had a few encouraging moments, that is a partnership that will take time to develop.
It is still early, but already there is a realisation from Iraola and his players that when they have such short turnarounds between games, perhaps it is a case of adapting and finding ways to get a result.
With at least seven more Champions League games to follow and a Carabao Cup tie at home to Tottenham on Tuesday, Liverpool must adapt sooner rather than later as the fixture list cranks up if they are to show they can challenge for honours this season.
Gossip: Reds could break transfer record again for Rayanpublished at 07:11 BST 14 September
07:11 BST 14 September
Liverpool could break their transfer record to sign 20-year-old Bournemouth forward Rayan next summer, should they choose to meet his £130m release clause which will become active in 2027. (Football Insider), external
Bayern Munich are keeping a close eye on the situation of 23-year-old Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz at Liverpool. (Teamtalk), external
The Reds have a 55m euros (£47.2m) option to turn their loan deal for Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo into a permanent move from Barcelona. (Fabrizio Romano via Caught Offside), external
Juventus are not prepared to sell Pierre Kalulu in the January transfer window, with Liverpool and Manchester United both linked with a possible move for the 26-year-old France defender. (Manchester Evening News), external
Championship clubs and Celtic are eyeing a move for England youth international and Reds defender Luke Chambers in January. (Football Insider), external
Analysis: Flat Reds fail to entertain as Fulham fight for Arbeloapublished at 11:18 BST 13 September
11:18 BST 13 September
Aadam Patel Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Against a Fulham side who had conceded seven goals in their first three league games, this should have been the ideal opportunity for Liverpool to build on their momentum and for Andoni Iraola to show this squad can cope with two games a week.
Instead, the hosts looked like a different team from the one Anfield saw on Wednesday and were far too flat throughout.
A return of six points from their first four games is hardly cause for concern, but Iraola will surely be disappointed they have already dropped four points at Anfield, with draws against Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
Including last season, that is now four home Premier League draws in a row for them as they failed to score in a home league game for the first time since Leeds visited in January.
For Fulham, this was a big step in the right direction after a poor start and proof, if needed, that the team are playing for their manager after they were booed off at home last week.
Affengruber was superb on debut and so was the captain and his centre-half partner Calvin Bassey. Fulham also had more touches (24) in the opposition box than Liverpool (18).
Arbeloa's side face the three promoted sides in October and there will be a better indication of his start to life in London by then.
But here, on familiar territory for the Spaniard, there were plenty of positives.
Had his side been more clinical, they could have snatched a notable success, but Arbeloa became the first ex-Liverpool Premier League player to pick up a point against his former side as a manager - following defeats for Paul Ince, Mauricio Pellegrino and Steven Gerrard.
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham: What Iraola and Alisson saidpublished at 18:23 BST 12 September
18:23 BST 12 September
Media caption,
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "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.
"It is less than three days, 60 hours, [since they played Atletico Madrid in the Champions League] and a lot of players had to adapt. 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."
On Bradley Barcola: "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 goalkeeper Alisson, speaking to Sky Sports, said: "It was a poor performance, sometimes from myself, and collectively we didn't play well. Many things we tried to do we could not do it. We could not press them well in the first half, we spent too much energy trying to press them.
"It's a big challenge [playing] Wednesday night and Saturday and another one on Tuesday. We need to get the right mentality and we didn't do that. With the ball, Fulham have quality and we didn't create as many chances as we would expect, that's the challenge and we have to do better.
"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.
"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.
"We take the clean sheet but we're not happy at all. We wanted the three points."
Did you know?
Liverpool have drawn four consecutive Premier League games at Anfield for the first time since November 2011 under Kenny Dalglish.
The Reds have failed to score in the first half of three consecutive Premier League games at Anfield for the first time since April 2021 (run of eight).
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Hull City" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.
New this season: Live match updates
Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.
Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.
Why is Ekitike in Liverpool's Champions league squad?published at 11:13 BST 12 September
11:13 BST 12 September
Aadam Patel Liverpool reporter
Liverpool's inclusion of the injured Hugo Ekitike in their Champions League squad has been the subject of several questions sent in via our Ask Me Anything form for the Reds.
Like Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, there is hope that Ekitike will be on course to play a role later in the league phase of the Champions League.
Ekitike's return date from the Achilles injury he sustained in April is unclear but the France forward is aiming to return to training before the end of the year.
In the previous format of the Champions League, all six group games would usually be completed by the end of December, but this format sees teams play another two games in January. Liverpool travel to Inter Milan and welcome Lens to Anfield in the new year.
Iraola was actually asked about Ekitike during his news conference on Friday, saying "It's difficult with these long-term injuries and I think he's still far [away from returning].
"We had a meeting with the medical department to analyse when we completed the [squad] list for the European games. There is a reasonable chance that he could help us in the last two games of the group stages.
"It's still very early to say because it's a long-term injury and a big part of the rehab [he] is still to meet.
"But we decided to put him there because there is a hope and a realistic chance that he could help us in January."
Had he not been included in the original Champions League squad, Ekitike could have been added after the 36-team league phase.
Clubs that qualify for the knockout rounds can register up to three new players before 5 February 2027 - though the overall limit of 25 players remains in place, as does the quota of eight locally trained players.
Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.
We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.
Sutton's predictions: Liverpool v Fulhampublished at 08:44 BST 12 September
08:44 BST 12 September
I am covering this game for BBC Radio 5 Live and will be co-commentating with Ian Dennis.
For Fulham, the big talking point is their manager, and whether they will sink any lower under Alvaro Arbeloa. He will be under pressure until he gets his first Premier League win.
Fulham look a little bit lightweight to me and, while Cesar Palacios in midfield and Gonzalo Garcia up front have clearly got something about them, it is always going to be hard for any young player to hit the ground running when they are thrown into the Premier League, especially under a manager who is new too.
If you don't get off to a good start, you are going to be scrutinised. It is the same for every manager and, while Fulham have got some good attacking players, they are shipping goals at the other end.
To lead twice against Crystal Palace, who had also started the season poorly, and still lose makes this game even bigger for Arbeloa.
He is trying to play a high-pressing game, and he also wants to dominate the ball, but at the highest level, which the Premier League is, if you are not on point with your press then teams will play through you.
Arbeloa needs a result to kick-start his season, or at least something to grab hold of, and I don't think it's impossible for them to get something at Anfield.
I certainly don't think Liverpool have cracked it after watching them win at Ipswich, and they will give up some chances with their high defensive line too.
Fulham will score, but the problem for Arbeloa is that Liverpool will score more.
Liverpool v Fulham: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:35 BST 11 September
19:35 BST 11 September
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's match (15:00 BST), with Alvaro Arbeloa seeking his first points as Fulham boss against his former club Liverpool.
Reds on a roll
Liverpool are chasing a third win in the space of eight days after Andoni Iraola's first Premier League victory as Reds boss, a comfortable 2-0 success at Ipswich, was followed by Wednesday's victory over Atletico Madrid in his first Champions League match as a manager.
Alexander Isak scored twice at Portman Road, meaning he has already equalled his league tally from an injury-disrupted 2025-26 campaign, and the Swede is now aiming to score in three consecutive top-flight games for the first time in 18 months.
Summer signing Bradley Barcola, meanwhile, is set to make his first Premier League appearance at Anfield. His home debut in midweek did not quite go to plan, with the 24-year-old missing some clear-cut chances before being forced off with cramp after an hour.
Barcola will be keen to open his account sooner rather than later, and a game against opponents who historically struggle on Merseyside could provide the ideal opportunity to begin repaying his sizeable transfer fee.
Liverpool have lost only two of their 33 home league matches versus Fulham and won 2-0 when the sides last met in April.
Arbeloa targets lift-off on Anfield return
Fulham are one of two pointless sides in this season's Premier League, along with newly promoted Coventry City, and a fourth straight defeat would leave the omens looking a little bleak for the west Londoners.
The only previous top-flight campaigns in which they lost their opening four matches were 1951-52 and 2020-21, with both seasons ending in relegation.
The Whites, who host Manchester United next weekend in their final game before the three-week international break, have shown plenty of attacking endeavour under new boss Arbeloa and lead the league for touches in the opposition box.
But they have been alarmingly open out of possession, conceding a league-high 14 big chances and recording an expected goals against figure of 6.2, the second highest in the top flight.
Arbeloa spent two and a half years at Liverpool and came off the bench in their Champions League final defeat by AC Milan in 2007.
But history offers little encouragement on his return to Anfield. Liverpool have won all five previous Premier League matches against managers who represented the club as players in the competition.
Iraola on team fitness, Koumas' development and Fulhampublished at 12:51 BST 11 September
12:51 BST 11 September
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Fulham at Anfield (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Bradley Barcola, who was forced off during Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League with cramp, "should be available" for Saturday's match.
Iraola confirmed the team will train on Friday afternoon and then they will assess whether Cody Gakpo "is ready" to face Fulham, or if they "need to wait" until Tottenham on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup.
He said their opening games have shown "the team has goals" as they have been "dangerous and created chances". Iraola now wants his side to be "more efficient" and start matches "a bit better" so they are not chasing games, having gone a goal down in three of their four matches soo far.
Iraola said he is "happy with the improvements" Alexander Isak is making "game to game", with the striker "in a really good place" physically. He added: "He moves with confidence and technically we know he is very good. He is understanding what we need from the number nine position [better]."
On Lewis Koumas, who Iraola has given a Premier League and Champions League debut to: "He can cover us as a seven, nine, 10 and 11. He trains very well, has a good attitude and is great player. He scores goals. I see him ready to help us and I like what he gives us. I am very happy to have him."
He said "there is a chance" sidelined Hugo Ekitike "could help us with the last two games of the [Champions League] group stage, but it is still very early to say".
On opponents Fulham, who are yet to get a point on the board: "If you look at the stats then you would think they'd have four or five points at least. They've been controlling the games with possession and comfortable on the ball."
John: We must not let either of these two magnificent servants leave - not until we have established centre-backs and goalkeepers with the know-how to navigate a fiercely competitive Premier League and European competition. Their experience will only help up-and-coming replacements but, as things stand, we have potential and not finished articles. They can only learn from the best.
James: Generational talents are always worth holding on to! And they have exceptional attitudes to inspire those coming on. I'd be going all out for contract extensions.
Lee: Two great players, still playing at top level. Alisson and Van Dijk have both been affected by not having a stable defence, but I still think they'll be good for a few more years.
Yusuf: Goalkeepers can really go on for a long time, like Manuel Neuer or Thibaut Courtois, so Alisson should stay while he can still do a good job between the sticks, ideally for another two to three years. With Van Dijk, I think we do need him for one more year after this season, then he can give the armband to Dominik Szoboszlai.
Paul: Goalkeepers usually play on for longer than outfield players and Alisson has proved time and again that he is one of the best in the world. It would be a needless gamble to let him go if he can keep up his high standards. As an outfield player, Van Dijk will need his defensive team-mates to improve and be consistent if he is to remain with the club. There is no doubt he is capable of captaining the team this season and next, as long as he stays fit.
Winger variety meets transition concerns - will Iraola find balance?published at 08:01 BST 11 September
08:01 BST 11 September
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool have to "strike the balance" between "attacking aggressively and improving their defensive structure" this season, believe former Premier League players Charlie Adam and Paul Robinson.
Andoni Iraola's side have already conceded five goals in their four matches so far, but they have also scored two goals in each of them - the latest being Wednesday's 2-1 comeback victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
On Liverpool's transformed attack, ex-England goalkeeper Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast: "You can see he wants his team to be forward-thinking. Whenever they turn over possession, he doesn't want them passing backwards or sideways.
"Previously, there was a lot of keeping the ball, recycling possession, showing patience and not always being on the front foot.
"Liverpool essentially had two wingers who were running past their full-backs at all times against Atletico Madrid.
"It is going to look different when Cody Gakpo comes back into the equation, though, and it will be interesting to see what Iraola does with him.
"This is a very different Liverpool with the likes of Rio Ngumoha, Jeremie Frimpong, Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz. They are all different wingers who bring different dimensions.
"He has a lot of quality at his disposal, it is just how he deploys them."
On the Reds' leaky defence, former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder Adam added: "They are still open to huge transition moments at times, when the turnover is there.
"The space between the backline, the midfield and the forwards was just too big at times against Atletico Madrid. They don't look very connected at the moment.
"When their opponents beat that first press, all of a sudden they are in the backline - and that is where the goal came from in their Champions League opener.
"That is still a worry for Liverpool. If they don't sort it, they will concede a lot of goals in transition this season."
'I'm pleased to hear the manager come out and take responsibility'published at 07:24 BST 11 September
07:24 BST 11 September
Image source, PA Media
The Redmen TV's Dan Clubbe says there are still things to iron out for Liverpool following their 2-1 victory against Atletico Madrid.
BBC Radio Merseyside discussed Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola's post-match comments on Wednesday, when he admitted he was surprised "tactically" by Diego Simeone's side and took blame for their opening goal.
However, Clubbe believes it is a problem that predates Iraola's time in charge.
"That's been the running theme all the way back to Bournemouth at home first game of last season, when we were carved open a couple of times by Antoine Semenyo. We never truly managed to get to grips with it," Clubbe said.
"A lot of us were hoping some defensive-minded midfielder would come in and maybe shut us up in the middle of the park. That hasn't happened and we're left with the midfield profiles that we have.
"There's still things to iron out but a lot of that will come with being better off the ball in terms of possession, and not allowing their defence or midfield so much time in order to dictate and get through what is a very soft underbelly right now.
"I'm pleased to hear the manager come out and take responsibility for that because that's him saying the players are the players, they are what they are, and I need to be the one to fix it."
Image source, Getty Images
