Andoni Iraola makes worrying Liverpool admission: 'We cannot hide it'

Concern: Andoni Iraola PA Alex Young , Senior Sport Editor @ alexwsyoung 2 minutes ago COMMENTS Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola admitted his side lacked freshness but refused to use fatigue as an excuse after they were held to a goalless draw by Fulham at Anfield.

The Reds were unable to reproduce the intensity of their midweek Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid as Fulham frustrated them in the Premier League on Saturday.

Iraola remains unbeaten since taking charge, but was disappointed by Liverpool's lack of attacking threat against a Fulham side who had lost their opening three league games.

"I think what was lacking was quite clear," said Iraola. "It is the first game since I've been here where we've had problems creating chances to score goals, to make the difference offensively.

"It is easy for me, for you, for everyone, to say the players were tired. There is a lack of freshness, definitely, we cannot hide it.

"I think it is the worst turnaround in terms of 60 or 70 hours between the games, but this is going to happen in the season and we have to adapt to these circumstances."

Liverpool struggled to create clear openings, with Victor Munoz forcing a good save from Bernd Leno with a header from close range before Alexander Isak weaved into the Fulham area and shot straight at the goalkeeper.

But a defeat would have been harsh on the visitors, who looked the more threatening side for long periods.

Fulham should have taken the lead after a mix-up in the Liverpool penalty area, only for Jeremy Jacquet to clear Gonzalo Garcia's effort off the line.

The visitors created several other openings, but Iraola was encouraged by the way his side defended after the break.

"This is the kind of game that you need to win sometimes with a set play or a moment of brilliance and clearly we were not as good offensively today as other days," he said.

"In the first half we were arriving late to the press. We improved this a lot in the second half.

"We had better structures. We controlled the game better without scoring a goal. I was feeling more comfortable, even if we haven't been incredible.

"We also haven't conceded clear chances. The one we conceded was the one we messed up from the goal kick. We defended quite well."