The Kopite View

Liverpool could be preparing to make a major statement in the January transfer window.

According to Topskills Sports UK, Liverpool have identified Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde as their No.1 target for January, with new Reds boss Andoni Iraola reportedly keen to make the Spanish international a key part of his plans.

The report claims Liverpool’s hierarchy are already working behind the scenes to explore a potential deal.

And if there is any truth to it, this is certainly an exciting name for Liverpool supporters.

Balde would be a perfect fit for Iraola

One of the biggest changes under Iraola is going to be the way Liverpool use their full-backs.

Balde has many of the qualities you’d expect from a modern attacking left-back.

He’s quick, technically gifted, aggressive going forward and comfortable carrying the ball into the final third.

Those qualities could make him extremely attractive to Iraola.

The Liverpool manager wants his team to play with intensity and attack with purpose, and having a left-back capable of providing genuine width and pace would give him another weapon.

Balde would give Liverpool something different.

Liverpool need to think about the problem at left back with Kerkez struggling and Tsimikas not good enough.

Andy Robertson shouldn’t have been allowed to leave.

Liverpool cannot wait until they suddenly have a major problem at left-back and if Kerkez doesn’t improve they will have a problem at left-back.

Balde would represent exactly that sort of forward planning.

He’s still only 22 and already has significant experience at Barcelona and international level.

Liverpool have previously been linked with a move for the defender, with reports earlier this year claiming the Reds were interested in bringing him to Anfield.

But Barcelona won’t want to lose him

The obvious problem is that Liverpool wouldn’t be shopping in a cheap market.

Balde is a Barcelona player and remains an important part of their squad.

There has also been interest from other Premier League clubs, with Manchester United reported to have contacted Barcelona about his situation.

So if Liverpool really have decided that Balde is their priority, they could face serious competition.

And Barcelona would have little reason to make negotiations easy.

Could this be Iraola’s first big January signing?

Liverpool didn’t strengthen every area of the squad during the summer, and the 0-0 draw with Fulham has already highlighted some of the issues Iraola still has to solve.

The midfield needs attention.

There are questions about squad depth.

And the manager is still trying to mould this team into his own side.

Adding a player of Balde’s quality could therefore be significant.

It wouldn’t simply be another signing.

It would be a clear indication that Liverpool are building the squad around what Iraola wants from his team.

For now, we should treat this as a report rather than anything close to a done deal.

But if Topskills Sports UK’s information is accurate and Balde really is Iraola’s absolute No.1 target for January, Liverpool could be preparing for one of the most interesting transfer battles of the winter.

And personally, I’d be very interested in this one.

A young, explosive Spanish left-back who can attack, defend and fit the manager’s football?

That sounds like a Liverpool signing to me.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool are reportedly already planning for the summer of 2027, and Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall has emerged as a top target.

According to James Wathland, Liverpool have placed the England international high on their list as they look towards future recruitment.

And it is a move that would make plenty of sense.

Liverpool have already been looking at how they can continue refreshing the squad under Andoni Iraola, and the full-back positions will inevitably become an area that needs consideration over the next couple of years.

Hall is the sort of player who fits the profile.

Hall is an exciting player

The 21-year-old has developed considerably since establishing himself at Newcastle.

He is comfortable going forward, technically strong and capable of playing in different positions across the left side.

That versatility is particularly attractive in modern football.

Liverpool want full-backs who can contribute to the attack but also have the tactical intelligence to adapt depending on the situation.

Hall certainly appears to have those qualities.

There has already been significant interest in him, with Liverpool previously reported to be among the clubs monitoring his situation alongside Manchester City and Arsenal.

So this isn’t a completely new name for Liverpool supporters.

Could he eventually replace Robertson?

That is perhaps the biggest question.

Andy Robertson has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool and will always have a special place in the club’s recent history.

But Liverpool have to think beyond the present.

At some point, the club will need to replace the experience, consistency and attacking contribution Robertson has provided for so many years.

Lewis Hall could potentially be part of that next generation.

Liverpool already have other options at left-back, but if the club believes Hall can develop into one of England’s best in the position, planning early makes sense.

Liverpool are thinking long-term

One thing that has become increasingly clear is that Liverpool cannot simply think about the next transfer window.

They need to be planning two or three windows ahead.

The reported interest in Hall for 2027 fits into that approach.

Rather than waiting until they suddenly have a problem at left-back, Liverpool can identify a player they believe could fit the team and monitor his development.

And with Hall still only 21, there is plenty of room for further improvement.

But Newcastle won’t make it easy

There is an obvious problem.

Newcastle know exactly what they have.

Hall is an important young player for them, and Liverpool would likely face a significant asking price if they eventually make a serious move.

Previous reports have suggested a valuation in the region of £70 million, although that figure could obviously change considerably by the time summer 2027 arrives.

A lot can happen in football over the next year.

But if Hall continues developing at his current rate, Newcastle will have little reason to make negotiations easy.

It could be another statement signing

Liverpool have shown that they are prepared to spend heavily when they identify a player they believe can become a key part of the next generation.

Hall would certainly fit that description.

He’s young, English, already has Premier League experience and still has his best years ahead of him.

Most importantly, he looks like the type of player who could fit into Liverpool’s long-term plans under Iraola.

For now, though, this remains a report rather than anything close to a completed deal.

There is a long way to go before summer 2027.

But if Liverpool really have made Lewis Hall one of their top targets, it is another indication that the club is already looking several steps ahead.

And that’s exactly what Liverpool need to be doing.

The next great Liverpool team won’t be built in one transfer window.

It will be built by identifying the right players early and making sure they are ready to step in when the time comes.

Lewis Hall could be one of those players.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

James Milner is back at Liverpool.

Just a few months after bringing the curtain down on an incredible playing career, the former Reds midfielder has already returned to the club and taken his first steps towards what could become an equally interesting coaching career.

Milner was spotted at Liverpool’s academy on Saturday morning, wearing full Liverpool FC training gear and taking an Under-11s training session.

It might only be the beginning, but it is fantastic to see.

Milner only retired from professional football this summer after an extraordinary career spanning 24 Premier League seasons, so he hasn’t exactly had much time away from the game.

And perhaps that’s no surprise.

Football has been Milner’s life for decades.

Now he’s beginning to learn the game from a completely different perspective.

Liverpool is the perfect place to start

There can’t be many better environments for Milner to begin his coaching journey than Liverpool’s academy.

He knows the club.

He understands the standards.

And, perhaps most importantly, he knows exactly what it takes to have a long and successful career at the very highest level.

Milner isn’t somebody who relied purely on natural ability.

His career was built on discipline, professionalism, adaptability and an extraordinary work ethic.

Those are qualities that can be incredibly valuable to young players.

Imagine being an 11-year-old Liverpool player and having James Milner standing in front of you telling you what it takes to become a professional footballer.

That’s quite an experience.

He has so much knowledge to pass on

Milner has played under some of the game’s biggest managers and alongside some of its greatest players.

He’s won the Premier League, Champions League and numerous other major trophies.

He’s played almost everywhere on the pitch.

He’s experienced the pressure of playing for Liverpool, Manchester City and England.

And he’s dealt with the highs and lows that come with an elite football career.

But perhaps the biggest lesson Milner can give young players isn’t about tactics or technique.

It’s about professionalism.

Turning up every day.

Looking after your body.

Listening to coaches.

Being prepared to adapt.

Continuing to improve even when you’ve already achieved so much.

Those lessons can be just as important as anything learned with a football at their feet.

Could Milner eventually become a Liverpool manager?

It’s obviously far too early to start talking about that.

Milner is only at the beginning of his coaching journey.

But there’s nothing wrong with dreaming.

Liverpool have already seen former players go into management and coaching, and Milner certainly has the personality and football intelligence to make a success of it if that’s the route he ultimately chooses.

For now, though, he needs to learn.

Working with the academy is the perfect starting point.

He can develop his coaching methods, learn how to communicate with different age groups and gradually build his own ideas about the game.

And who knows where it could eventually lead?

A brilliant return to Liverpool

There is also something rather fitting about Milner beginning this chapter at Liverpool.

He left the club as a hugely respected figure and now, rather than simply walking away from football, he’s choosing to give something back.

Liverpool have always valued the connection between the first team and the academy.

Having someone with Milner’s experience around the youngsters can only be a positive.

And maybe, years from now, we’ll look back at that Saturday morning Under-11s session and realise it was where James Milner’s coaching career really began.

For now, though, welcome home, Mili.

It’s brilliant to have you back.

And somehow, I wouldn’t bet against James Milner eventually becoming very good at this too.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

There was always a risk that Liverpool would regret not strengthening their midfield during the summer.

After Saturday’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Fulham, that risk is starting to look like reality.

Liverpool’s starting midfield has shown enough already this season to suggest that it simply isn’t good enough to consistently control matches at the level this club expects.

And the biggest frustration is that this wasn’t an unforeseen problem.

The warning signs were there before the season started.

Liverpool knew they were changing manager. They knew Andoni Iraola would want different demands from his midfield. They knew the team needed energy, intensity, control and the ability to dictate games.

Yet when the summer transfer window closed, no new established midfielder had arrived.

Now we’re seeing the consequences.

Gravenberch and Szoboszlai aren’t working together

Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are both talented footballers.

But that doesn’t automatically mean they make the right midfield partnership.

Against Fulham, Liverpool’s midfield lacked urgency and struggled to impose itself. The two were among the players taken off as Iraola tried to change the game, with Alexis Mac Allister making an immediate impact after coming on.

That’s becoming a concern.

Liverpool need midfielders who can take control of a game when things aren’t going their way.

They need someone who can receive the ball under pressure, turn, move Liverpool up the pitch and dictate the tempo.

They need someone who can win duels, cover ground and give the attacking players the platform to hurt teams.

At the moment, Liverpool don’t seem to have enough of that in the starting combination.

Mac Allister cannot solve everything

Alexis Mac Allister remains hugely important to this Liverpool team.

In fact, his introduction against Fulham only strengthened the argument that he should be playing a bigger role in the midfield.

But Liverpool shouldn’t be relying on one player to fix an entire structural problem.

Mac Allister can bring control, intelligence and composure.

What Liverpool need is another midfielder alongside him who can complement those qualities.

Instead, we’re seeing Iraola having to work with what he has.

And that’s not necessarily fair on the manager.

Iraola has inherited a squad which was largely constructed for a different style of football under Arne Slot.

He needs time to mould the team into his own side.

But he also needed the tools to do it.

This is why not signing a midfielder was such a mistake

This is the part that frustrates me most.

Liverpool didn’t need to sign another midfielder simply for the sake of it.

They needed to add competition and a different profile.

Someone who could come into the team and give Iraola another option.

Someone who could start alongside Mac Allister.

Someone who could play when Gravenberch or Szoboszlai aren’t performing.

Someone who could change the tempo of a game from the bench.

Because at the moment, when Liverpool’s midfield isn’t functioning, Iraola doesn’t have enough solutions.

That was obvious against Fulham.

Liverpool had possession but struggled to turn it into genuine control or clear chances. Fulham were able to stay in the game and, for long periods, looked the more dangerous side. Reuters described Liverpool as lacking energy and sharpness, while Fulham’s performance earned them a deserved point.

January suddenly looks very important

Liverpool reportedly have midfielders on their radar for a future window, which tells us that the club themselves are aware there is an issue.

But why wait?

If the same problems continue through the autumn, Liverpool could find themselves needing reinforcements desperately rather than simply looking for an upgrade.

And that makes January potentially very important.

Liverpool shouldn’t panic and sign the wrong player.

But if there is a midfielder available who fits Iraola’s system and can genuinely improve the squad, they have to be prepared to act.

Because this Liverpool team has too much attacking quality to be held back by a midfield that cannot consistently control matches.

Wirtz, Isak, Barcola and the rest of the attacking options need a midfield capable of supplying them.

They shouldn’t be expected to create everything themselves.

Liverpool have to learn from this

The 0-0 draw with Fulham shouldn’t suddenly lead to calls for half the squad to be replaced.

There is still plenty of time for Iraola to improve this team.

But Liverpool have now had a clear warning.

The midfield isn’t good enough as it stands.

And when you consider that this season is supposed to be about building a new Liverpool under Iraola, not strengthening the midfield during the summer looks like a significant missed opportunity.

The club now has two choices.

They can hope the current midfield suddenly finds another level.

Or they can recognise what is staring them in the face and give Iraola another quality option.

For me, Liverpool need to do the latter.

Because if they want to compete seriously on multiple fronts, the midfield cannot remain the weak point of this team.

The decision not to strengthen it in the summer could prove to be one of Liverpool’s biggest mistakes.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool could have an interesting decision to make over Luke Chambers when the January transfer window opens.

According to Football Insider, Celtic are keeping tabs on the Liverpool left-back as they consider strengthening in that position during the winter window.

Chambers is now 22 and has already gained valuable experience away from Anfield, including loan spells with Kilmarnock, Wigan Athletic and Charlton Athletic.

What makes this particularly interesting is that Liverpool decided to keep him around this season.

There had been an expectation that Chambers would leave on loan again, with Championship clubs showing interest, but the Reds opted to retain him.

Now Celtic are monitoring the situation to see whether he could become available in January.

From Liverpool’s perspective, this is another decision for Andoni Iraola and the club’s recruitment team.

Do they keep Chambers around the first-team squad and continue his development at Anfield?

Or would another move — whether a loan or potentially something more permanent — give him the regular football he needs?

There’s certainly no shortage of interest in his services.

Celtic are reportedly looking to strengthen at left-back after struggling to add sufficient competition during the summer, with Landon Emenalo arriving from Chelsea but currently unavailable through injury.

For Chambers, a move to Celtic could potentially offer the opportunity to play regularly at a big club and gain European experience.

But from Liverpool’s point of view, I wouldn’t be rushing to give up on him.

He’s come through the academy, has experience of senior football and is still only 22.

Liverpool have already seen plenty of academy graduates develop into important first-team players, and the new era under Iraola could provide opportunities for some of the younger players to prove themselves.

The next few months could therefore be crucial for Chambers.

If he can impress around the first-team environment and show Iraola that he can compete for a place, the situation could look very different by January.

If not, another loan could make sense.

Either way, Celtic’s interest is a reminder that Chambers remains a player with a future in the professional game.

And Liverpool will have to decide what is best for his development — and ultimately, whether that future is at Anfield.

January could be an important month for Luke Chambers.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Yesterday’s frustrating draw with Fulham may have strengthened one argument Liverpool supporters have been making for some time.

Liverpool need another midfielder.

And according to TEAMtalk, the club are already looking at options ahead of a possible mid-season addition for Andoni Iraola, with four names reportedly on the radar.

The shortlist includes:

🔸 Aleksandar Stanković – Inter Milan
🔸 Alex Scott – Bournemouth
🔸 Manu Koné – Roma
🔸 Lamine Camara – Monaco

It’s particularly interesting timing given what we saw at Anfield against Fulham.

Liverpool’s midfield struggled badly for the first hour, with Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai unable to provide the control and creativity the team needed.

Then Alexis Mac Allister came on.

Suddenly, the flow of the game changed.

That shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as criticism of Gravenberch or Szoboszlai individually. It is more evidence that Liverpool don’t currently have enough different midfield profiles available to Iraola.

There are games where you need energy.

There are games where you need physicality.

There are games where you need someone who can slow everything down, take the ball under pressure and dictate the tempo.

And there are games where you need somebody capable of breaking a defensive block with one pass.

Liverpool need more options.

The decision to go into the season without adding another established central midfielder was always going to carry a risk.

Now we’re seeing why.

Liverpool are trying to move away from the football we’ve become accustomed to under Slot and build something different under Iraola. That process was never going to be straightforward, but the manager needs the tools to make those changes.

And right now, midfield looks like one of the areas where the squad is lacking depth.

The fact that Liverpool are reportedly looking at four different players suggests this isn’t simply about one particular target.

The club appear to recognise the problem.

Stanković would represent a younger option with significant potential, while Alex Scott is already familiar with Iraola from their time together at Bournemouth.

Koné would offer a different physical presence, while Camara has also been repeatedly linked with Liverpool.

There is no guarantee any of them arrive in January.

But the important thing is that Liverpool appear to be planning ahead.

And after watching yesterday’s first 60 minutes, I certainly wouldn’t complain about another quality midfielder arriving.

Liverpool have some outstanding attacking talent.

Wirtz.

Isak.

Barcola.

Gakpo.

But if we want to get the best out of those players, we need a midfield capable of consistently giving them the platform to attack.

Florian Wirtz shouldn’t be having to make nine defensive contributions because the midfield behind him isn’t functioning properly.

That’s the bigger picture.

Yesterday was a reality check.

And perhaps it also showed Iraola and the Liverpool hierarchy exactly where this squad still needs strengthening.

If Liverpool genuinely want to build Iraola’s team, midfield has to be one of the priorities.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

One statistic from Liverpool’s frustrating draw with Fulham really stood out to me.

Florian Wirtz made nine defensive contributions.

Nine.

And while nobody can question Wirtz’s willingness to work for the team, that statistic actually tells us something much more concerning about Liverpool.

It tells us where our deficiencies are.

Wirtz is one of the most naturally gifted attacking players in this Liverpool squad. We didn’t spend all that money on him to have him spending large portions of games chasing midfielders, covering gaps and doing work that should be dealt with by the players behind him.

Of course, modern attacking players have defensive responsibilities.

That’s football.

But there is a difference between pressing from the front and being forced into defensive work because your midfield isn’t functioning properly.

Against Fulham, Liverpool’s midfield simply wasn’t giving the attacking players enough control.

Gravenberch and Szoboszlai struggled for much of the opening hour, Fulham were able to play through Liverpool too easily and Wirtz ended up having to contribute defensively far more than you’d want from your main creative player.

And that is where the frustration comes in.

We want to see Wirtz hurting teams at the other end of the pitch.

We want him receiving the ball between the lines.

We want him turning defenders.

We want him creating chances for Isak.

We want him arriving in dangerous positions.

We want him being the player who makes things happen.

Instead, against Fulham, he was being dragged into defensive duties because Liverpool weren’t controlling the midfield.

That’s not Wirtz’s fault.

It’s a structural problem.

And it goes back to the point I made after the game about the midfield.

Mac Allister’s introduction changed the flow of the match.

Suddenly Liverpool had someone who could receive the ball under pressure, dictate the tempo and help connect midfield with attack.

Wirtz should be benefiting from that sort of platform.

He shouldn’t be having to compensate for its absence.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking Wirtz to press or work hard without the ball. In fact, his defensive effort is a positive.

But nine defensive contributions from your £100m-plus attacking midfielder should make us stop and ask why.

Liverpool need to find the right balance.

If Wirtz is constantly being asked to do the dirty work because the midfield behind him isn’t functioning, we’re going to see less and less of the player Liverpool bought.

And that would be a terrible waste of his talent.

The answer isn’t to tell Wirtz to work less.

The answer is to build a midfield that allows Wirtz to attack more.

That’s where Iraola has a big decision to make.

Yesterday wasn’t just about dropping two points against Fulham.

It highlighted some of the structural problems this new Liverpool side still has.

And until those problems are fixed, we aren’t going to see the very best of Florian Wirtz.

We didn’t sign Wirtz to be a defensive midfielder. We signed him to be a difference-maker.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

One of the biggest frustrations from Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Fulham was just how different the team looked once Alexis Mac Allister came onto the pitch.

For the first 60 minutes, Liverpool were flat, predictable and lacking any real control in midfield.

Then Mac Allister arrived and suddenly the flow of the game changed.

He looked sharp, composed and willing to get on the ball. Liverpool started moving it quicker, finding better positions and putting Fulham under more pressure.

It wasn’t a coincidence.

Mac Allister brought something that had been desperately missing during the opening hour — tempo and control.

And that brings us to the midfield.

I’m sorry, but after what we saw yesterday, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai cannot be starting together from now on.

The first 60 minutes from the pair was absolutely shocking.

There was very little control, very little creativity and not enough urgency when Liverpool had possession.

Gravenberch in particular looked short of confidence, while Szoboszlai struggled to influence the game in the way we know he can.

Fulham were able to make the midfield battle far too comfortable for themselves.

Then Iraola brought on Mac Allister for Gravenberch in the 60th minute and Liverpool immediately looked more purposeful. Even the player ratings reflected the difference, with Mac Allister receiving a 7 after a sharp cameo and being described as a positive influence in midfield.

The problem was that it was too little, too late.

Liverpool had already allowed Fulham to grow in confidence and had spent an hour struggling to find any rhythm.

By the time Mac Allister started making a difference, there simply wasn’t enough time left to completely turn the game around.

And that has to be a lesson for Iraola.

If Mac Allister is the player who can give Liverpool that control and intelligence in midfield, he needs to be starting.

Yesterday wasn’t about blaming one or two players for a disappointing result. Fulham deserved enormous credit for their organisation and Liverpool were clearly lacking freshness after Wednesday night’s Champions League win.

But managers have to make difficult decisions.

And based purely on yesterday’s performance, I don’t want to see Gravenberch and Szoboszlai starting together again anytime soon.

Liverpool simply looked far too easy to play against for the opening hour.

Mac Allister showed what was missing.

Unfortunately, he showed it after Liverpool had already made life far more difficult for themselves than it needed to be.

Hopefully Iraola has taken note.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

After back-to-back victories over Ipswich and Atlético Madrid, it was easy to start believing that Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool had suddenly clicked into gear.

Yesterday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham was a timely reality check.

Not because Liverpool are suddenly a bad team, or because Iraola is the wrong manager, but because it showed just how much work still needs to be done to change this team.

The victory over Atlético was hugely encouraging. Liverpool looked aggressive, energetic and capable of playing some really exciting football. Isak and Wirtz were beginning to look like a frightening attacking combination, while there were plenty of signs that Iraola’s ideas were starting to take shape.

But then Fulham arrived at Anfield and Liverpool looked almost like a completely different side.

The Reds lacked energy, struggled to create clear openings and, for long periods, Fulham were arguably the better team. Liverpool needed a goal-line clearance from Jérémy Jacquet and another good performance from Alisson to ensure they didn’t leave empty-handed.

And perhaps that is exactly what we should expect at this stage.

Liverpool are still learning how to play Iraola’s way.

For years, we became accustomed to the principles of what we might call ‘Slotball’ — the possession structures, the patterns of play, the way Liverpool controlled games and patiently worked opponents into difficult positions.

Now the players are being asked to adapt to a different manager, different ideas and different demands.

That isn’t going to happen in four Premier League games.

There will be brilliant performances.

There will be frustrating performances.

And there will be afternoons like yesterday where the new ideas don’t quite click and the team falls back into some of the habits we’ve seen before.

The short turnaround certainly didn’t help either. Liverpool had only around 65 hours between the final whistle against Atlético and kick-off against Fulham, and Iraola admitted afterwards that his attackers lacked freshness.

But there was another important lesson.

Iraola is still figuring out which players fit his football best.

The Gravenberch-Szoboszlai midfield didn’t provide the control or urgency Liverpool needed, while the front four struggled to find the chemistry we saw developing earlier in the week.

Mac Allister’s introduction helped, while Jacquet once again looked extremely impressive at the back.

These are all pieces of information that Iraola can use.

And that is why I don’t think yesterday should suddenly change the mood around the new manager.

Liverpool are a work in progress.

We shouldn’t expect Iraola to completely erase everything that came before him and have his perfect Liverpool team playing his football within a few weeks.

It is going to take time.

There will be bumps in the road. There will be games where Liverpool look brilliant and games where they look disjointed.

The important thing is that we can see what Iraola is trying to build.

The two wins over Ipswich and Atlético showed the potential.

The Fulham draw showed the reality.

Liverpool aren’t the finished article yet.

And perhaps yesterday was a useful reminder that this season should be about building something new rather than expecting everything to immediately fall into place.

Give Iraola time.

Let him work out his best XI.

Let the players adapt to his demands.

And, most importantly, let Liverpool slowly become Iraola’s team rather than expecting them to continue being the team we saw under Slot.

There is a long way to go.

And that’s okay.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

It wasn’t the afternoon Liverpool supporters wanted.

A 0-0 draw at Anfield against Fulham felt like two points dropped, particularly after the excitement of Wednesday night’s Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid.

But even in a disappointing performance, there were some positives to take.

Here are mine.

1. Clean sheet

Let’s start with the obvious one.

Liverpool kept a clean sheet.

It wasn’t always comfortable, either.

Fulham created some good opportunities and Liverpool had a couple of worrying moments, particularly early on, but the defence ultimately stood firm.

After conceding four goals in the opening three league games, getting through a difficult afternoon without conceding is something to build on.

It wasn’t pretty, but a clean sheet is a clean sheet.

2. Jérémy Jacquet looks really good again

I’m becoming increasingly impressed with Jérémy Jacquet.

The young defender produced another mature performance and was arguably Liverpool’s best player.

His goal-line clearance early in the game was absolutely crucial after the mix-up involving Alisson and Ryan Gravenberch.

Without Jacquet’s intervention, Liverpool could easily have found themselves chasing the game.

He’s showing that he can handle Premier League football and, importantly, he’s starting to look like someone Iraola can genuinely trust.

There is a lot to like about Jacquet.

3. Barcola got more minutes in his legs

Bradley Barcola made his first Premier League start for Liverpool, which was another important step for the summer signing.

He didn’t have his best game and, like most of the Liverpool attack, struggled to make an impact.

But after his recent fitness concerns, getting more minutes into his legs is valuable.

These games are part of the process of getting him fully up to speed.

We know there’s a player in there.

The more football Barcola plays, the sharper he’ll become.

4. Mac Allister looked lively when he came on

Another positive was the impact of Alexis Mac Allister from the bench.

Liverpool needed something different in midfield and his introduction gave the team a little more control and attacking intent.

It wasn’t enough to win the game, but Mac Allister showed why having experienced players like him available is going to be important during a long season.

5. We didn’t lose a game we could easily have lost

This might sound strange after a home draw, but let’s be honest.

Fulham were dangerous.

They created opportunities and probably had the better chances over large parts of the match.

Liverpool were nowhere near their best and looked physically drained after Wednesday night’s Champions League effort.

So while a point isn’t what we wanted, at least Liverpool didn’t compound a poor performance by losing the game.

Sometimes you have to take the point and move on.

6. Iraola has another lesson to take from it

Perhaps the biggest positive of all is that Iraola will have learned something about his squad.

He is still working out which players can deliver in different circumstances and which combinations work best.

Today’s game showed him that Liverpool need to find ways of maintaining their intensity when playing twice a week.

That’s part of building a new team.

And if Iraola learns from afternoons like this, then even disappointing results can ultimately help Liverpool improve.

The bigger picture

Nobody is going to pretend that 0-0 was a good result.

It wasn’t.

But we shouldn’t throw everything away because Liverpool had a poor afternoon.

Clean sheet. Jacquet’s continued development. More minutes for Barcola. Mac Allister getting back into the action. Another lesson for Iraola.

There are positives.

Now Liverpool need to recover, learn from today and move on.

The season is a marathon, not a sprint.

Jamie (The Kopite View)