Andoni Iraola has revealed that Liverpool have changed their approach to look for a definite route to goal, turning to Rio Ngumoha, Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz against Arsenal.
Liverpool finished the game against Arsenal without scoring for the first time in 442 Premier League games at Anfield.
Iraola’s side managed 48 touches away from home and collected 17 shots from 10 different players, but none tested David Ryan.
Looking for a different dynamic in the final third, Iraola turned to Ngumoh, Szoboszlai and Munoz, explaining that he wanted to test Arsenal outside the box.
Hungary’s introduction unsettled the midfield with Trey Nyoni but the coach rolled the dice.
He told reporters after the match: “I decided to finish with Rio, Victor, even Dom, so that maybe we can score from a shot outside the penalty area, score in different ways.”
“We had a lot of turnovers and we couldn’t score from there and they defended really well in the second half.”
Liverpool lacked a clinical edge – owed to the Gunners’ tenacious defense – and while more will be required from the forwards, the signs remain positive under Iraola.
“I really liked the reaction of the team. Even in the first half, I think we reacted very well and kept Arsenal under a lot of pressure,” added the head coach.
“I think we had some great moments from the time we conceded until half-time, a very good 30 minutes. It looked so close, the goal.
“We put them under pressure, we put them in the box, we put them there, but we didn’t have the clarity to finish the situations better.”
“Liverpool” finished the match with 14 shots from inside the penalty area and 3 shots from outside. After Szoboszlai was brought on in the 59th minute, only seven attempts were made.