Liverpool news: Florian Wirtz question emerges as Andoni Iraola lays blame

If there ever was a game to symbolise Liverpool's current status as a work in progress , then Saturday's 0-0 draw against Fulham would be it. Andoni Iraola's team may still be unbeaten but the stalemate marked their third draw of the season.

Listless in attack and struggling to dictate the tempo in the middle of the park, it was certainly an afternoon to forget at Anfield. Florian Wirtz has been on the receiving end of criticism ever since he arrived at Liverpool last season, for failing to live up to his lofty billing.

Today's Liverpool news sees the German star take more flak after he failed to help the Reds against Fulham. Elsewhere, Iraola has identified just why the Reds were found wanting in the disappointing draw.

Florian Wirtz has found himself at the centre of criticism again following the 0-0 draw with Fulham. Wirtz cost Liverpool an initial £100million, with a further £16m in add-ons, last summer.

He scored seven goals and bagged 10 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions last season, in a team that struggled under ex-manager Arne Slot .

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This season, in five appearances, he has one assist to his name. Against Fulham, he struggled to display his quality, registering three shots with none on target. The German created two chances.

talkSPORT pundits Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara have targeted the Liverpool No. 10. As of September 4, a WhoScored stat claimed Wirtz has lost possession 53 times this season, more than any other player in the Premier League. O'Hara took issue with Wirtz's ability to hold onto the ball.

He said: “You know the problem I have with him? I can accept him adapting to the physical side of the game, and it takes time, right, but to then watch him, he’s getting the ball in space and giving it away.

“And it has nothing to do with the physicality of the Premier League . And I am watching and going, ‘Stop giving it away’.”

Cundy added: “Wirtz has been here now, right, this is his second season. I am not convinced that Wirtz is going to be a success. I think I might have seen enough.”

Iraola has defended the star. “He played very well against Atletico Madrid,” the Liverpool boss said ahead of the Fulham game. “The game against Ipswich in the second half he lost more balls than normal but overall I have been very happy with his performances.

“He is a good player out of possession who helps us in our press. But he runs the same as the 10 of Arsenal , the 10 of (Manchester) City, the 10 of Fulham and more or less his stats are very similar to the number 10s other teams have.”

Iraola admitted Liverpool were lacking in forward areas against the Coattagers on Saturday afternoon. The Reds fielded an array of attacking talent, costing nearly £400m, as Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz and Florian Wirtz all started together in the Premier League for the first time.