Iraola Urges Liverpool to Step Up Offensively Ahead of Fenerbahce Clash

Andoni Iraola is calling on Liverpool to enhance their attacking prowess ahead of their Champions League showdown with Fenerbahce. With the Reds looking to secure their fourth straight win in Europe, the stakes are high as they aim for a solid spot in the knockout stages. Liverpool has maintained a perfect record in the Champions League this season, but that contrasts sharply with their recent struggles in the Premier League. Fenerbahce, under the guidance of ex-Liverpool man Dirk Kuyt, will be a challenging opponent for Iraola's side on Wednesday. Last Sunday, Liverpool drew a blank at home against Arsenal, failing to register a single shot on target for the first time since Opta started tracking stats in the 2003-04 season. Despite this setback, Iraola insists the statistic doesn’t fully capture the team’s overall performance, though he acknowledges that there’s still work to be done. “It’s tough to lose, but I found a lot of positives in our play,” Iraola said, while confirming that Ryan Gravenberch will miss the match due to injury. “We need to sharpen up, especially when attacking the box. We had the numbers but didn’t make the right runs or capitalize on second balls. We pressured Arsenal well, but we can still improve.” Interestingly, Liverpool has netted 12 goals in just three Champions League matches, outpacing their 11 goals in nine league games. Iraola, however, downplayed any serious concerns regarding the difference in performance across competitions. “We're seeing better results in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup compared to the Premier League, but it's still early to draw conclusions,” he added. “This is a crucial game for us to aim for 12 points and push for qualification. Fenerbahce away is tough, especially in this atmosphere, so we must be mentally prepared.” Kuyt, who returned to Fenerbahce this summer after a stint as an assistant coach, is stepping up as the interim boss following Ismail Kartal’s recent departure. Having played for the Turkish club after leaving Liverpool in 2012, the match holds special significance for him. “Tomorrow is a significant moment for me, but the focus should be on the club,” Kuyt stated. “Romelu [Lukaku] emphasized the need for us to deliver a good performance for our fans, who truly deserve it. We have talented players, and it’s time to shine. Liverpool is a fantastic team, but so is Fenerbahce. If our fans show up, the world will see how immense our support is.” On another note, Iraola mentioned that he hasn’t pursued an explanation from Pro Ref regarding the missed penalty call for a shirt-pull on Alexander Isak during the Arsenal match. “I didn’t seek clarification or receive any, to be honest,” he said. “I’ve shared my thoughts on the penalties, but right now, my focus is entirely on preparing for Fenerbahce. We’ve only got two days between matches.”