A big problem with Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool showed up against Fulham, and it can’t be fixed just yet.
Since Andoni Iraola became Liverpool’s head coach, he’s faced a bunch of challenges. One stood out during their recent 0-0 draw with Fulham. The Reds have now drawn their last four Premier League games at Anfield, their longest stretch without a home win since late 2020, according to Opta.
That match really showed Liverpool’s frustrating start this season. Going forward, they seemed low on energy and missing a player to take control, even with Bradley Barcola making his first league start.
But the biggest problem was at full-back. Liverpool used to be strong out wide, thanks to players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson who brought creativity. Now, their options are limited, and with the transfer window closed, this could be a bigger problem soon.
Ronald Araujo started at right-back for the third straight game but had some struggles pushing forward, including a poor cross in the 49th minute. Kostas Tsimikas was chosen over Milos Kerkez at left-back, but he was taken off at halftime after a shaky first half with some sloppy passes.
Jeremie Frimpong came on to replace Araujo in the 72nd minute but hasn’t quite lived up to expectations yet.
Liverpool Echo writer Ian Doyle summed up the game well: “That has to be up there with one of the worst games I’ve ever attended in 43 and a half years of watching football,” he said on X, “It was probably even worse than that.”
On the Stick to Football podcast, Jamie Carragher suggested that Szoboszlai could play right-back, even though he prefers a midfield role. Carragher said Szoboszlai signed a new contract and probably wants to play in midfield, but that’s not quite fitting right now.
Carragher thinks Szoboszlai’s best role might be right-back, where he could get lots of the ball and offer runs, similar to what Trent used to do. But he acknowledges Szoboszlai probably doesn’t want to play there, especially after his new big contract. Carragher feels Iraola will need to have a serious talk with him, since the midfield isn’t working well and Szoboszlai is a big part of that.