There was little disguising Liverpool’s frustration after their defeat to Arsenal, but Andoni Iraola’s assessment of the performance offered a more revealing insight into the problems facing his side.

Liverpool had 17 attempts at Anfield on Sunday but failed to register a single shot on target. Against an Arsenal side whose defensive organisation has become one of their greatest strengths, that lack of precision proved costly.

Yet Iraola was reluctant to dismiss the performance as an entirely negative one. Instead, he pointed towards a specific weakness in Liverpool’s attacking play: their movement inside the penalty area.

“We need to improve, especially attacking the box, I think we have to probably touch [the ball] more in the six-yard box. A lot of times we are with the numbers there, but not making the proper runs, waiting for second balls.”

It was a telling observation from a manager whose side have often demonstrated an ability to move the ball into dangerous areas without consistently converting that possession into clear opportunities.

Liverpool were capable of putting Arsenal under pressure, particularly during a promising spell towards the end of the first half. But reaching the final third and finding a way through the opposition’s defensive structure are two very different challenges.

Arsenal demonstrated that distinction throughout the second half. Their ability to protect the penalty area, limit space and force Liverpool into less threatening situations meant that the hosts struggled to turn territorial pressure into genuine danger.

Iraola acknowledged the quality of the opposition’s defending, while maintaining that there were elements of Liverpool’s performance worth building upon.

“It’s true that they defended well, but I liked a lot of the things I saw the other day.”

That balance is important. Liverpool’s manager is not suggesting that the entire performance needs to be discarded, but he has recognised that improvements in the attacking third are necessary if encouraging spells are to become more productive.

The challenge is particularly relevant given the demands of the schedule. Liverpool travel to Istanbul looking to maintain their perfect start in the Champions League, having collected nine points from their opening three matches.

Iraola knows that Fenerbahçe will provide a different test. He highlighted the technical quality of their midfield and warned that allowing their opponents too much time in possession could prove costly.

“We have to be good in our press, we have to try to control the game, don’t allow them to win confidence.”

Starting strongly will therefore be important, but Liverpool’s ability to turn possession and pressure into meaningful attacking moments remains a central concern.

There was also an encouraging assessment of Trey Nyoni, whose involvement has increased during the opening months of the campaign. Iraola praised the teenager’s contribution and explained that the development of younger players involves more than simply giving them consecutive starts.

He pointed to the physical demands of playing every three or four days, with Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas all gaining valuable experience.

It is a reminder that Liverpool are still developing under their manager, with the integration of young players and the demands of his approach requiring time.

But the immediate requirement is clear. Liverpool cannot simply rely on reaching promising positions and hoping that pressure eventually produces an opening.

Against Arsenal, the numbers were there. The movement was not always right, and the shots on target never arrived.

Iraola has identified the problem. The next step is finding a solution.