Iraola urges Liverpool to start fast against Fulham at Anfield
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has demanded a faster, more ruthless start from his unbeaten side before Fulham visit Anfield.
What we know
- Liverpool have gone behind in three of Iraola’s first four matches, recovering to draw with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest before beating Ipswich 2-0 and Atletico Madrid 2-1.
- Alexander Isak ended Liverpool’s early scoring problem when he struck twice inside the first 10 minutes against Ipswich last Friday. The Reds had not scored before half-time in either of their opening two league fixtures.
- Iraola said Liverpool have created chances and scored twice in every game, but believes they must improve at both ends from kick-off. He pointed to Alex Mac Allister’s clear opening after roughly 15 seconds against Atletico as proof that early moments can change a match.
- Fulham arrive without a point after narrow defeats to Chelsea, Sunderland and Crystal Palace. Each loss was by a single goal.
- Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa took over at Craven Cottage after leaving Real Madrid, where he had been appointed in January before Jose Mourinho replaced him following a trophyless finish.
- Iraola and Arbeloa were former Spain team-mates and competed for similar positions. Iraola said Arbeloa enjoyed the stronger international career, having played more often for the national side.
Next step: Fulham at Anfield
Iraola will look for Liverpool to seize control from the opening whistle against a Fulham team he believes have performed better than their results suggest. He said the visitors’ underlying numbers and control of matches could have earned them around five points rather than none.
The Liverpool coach wants his players to avoid another chase. His message is clear: score first, concede less, and make the match simpler before the interval.
