Iraola explains Liverpool’s lack of freshness and provides Barcola update

Andoni Iraola has made a Liverpool fitness admission after Fulham draw

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has acknowledged that his side lacked freshness during Saturday’s goalless draw with Fulham at Anfield, while also providing an update on Bradley Barcola’s physical development.

The Reds were held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham just over two days after their Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid. It was Liverpool’s third match of the week following their Premier League win over Ipswich Town and the European victory over Atlético.

Iraola admitted that the short turnaround had an impact on his side’s performance, although he was careful not to use the demanding schedule as an excuse.

“Definitely. Clearly we lacked some freshness,” Iraola said after the match. He acknowledged that the Reds struggled to create the decisive moments required to break Fulham down, particularly in one-on-one situations and transitions.

The Liverpool manager also pointed to the limited recovery time between the Atlético and Fulham fixtures. With less than 72 hours between the matches, he said his side must learn to find ways to win games under similar circumstances because such periods will be part of the season.

“That is a part but we cannot use it as an excuse,” Iraola explained. “You have to find ways to win these games where we play less than 72 hours.”

Liverpool managed to keep a clean sheet against Fulham but struggled to produce the same attacking threat they had shown in their previous matches. Iraola admitted that the Reds did not do enough offensively and said the lack of freshness affected their decision-making.

The manager also defended the wider physical situation surrounding Bradley Barcola, who started against Fulham after being withdrawn with cramp during the Champions League victory over Atlético.

Barcola is still being carefully managed as he builds his fitness. Iraola previously explained that the winger had not played any pre-season minutes for Paris Saint-Germain before joining Liverpool, meaning the club has been using competitive matches to gradually increase his workload.

“He is one we are building up physically with games and the games will give him the condition we want,” Iraola said. He stressed, however, that the issue against Fulham was not limited to Barcola.

“It’s not just Bradley, we lack the freshness,” the Liverpool manager added.

Cody Gakpo was another player whose fitness was being monitored during the week. The Netherlands international had missed the Reds' Champions League match against Atlético after experiencing discomfort in both adductors. Iraola had described the problem as minor but admitted before the Fulham game that there was uncertainty over whether Gakpo would be ready.

Gakpo eventually returned from the bench against Fulham, giving Iraola another attacking option during the second half.

The draw means Liverpool remain unbeaten since the new campaign and will now look to respond in their next fixture and improve their attacking performance after failing to score for the first time.