Why Liverpool Are Struggling for Premier League Goals Under Iraola

Liverpool Have Scored Just Nine Premier League Goals in Seven Games Despite 15 in Four Cup Ties

Liverpool have scored only nine goals in seven Premier League matches this season, yet 15 across three Champions League games and a Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham. Manager Andoni Iraola says the difference is the opposition, not the competition, as Brighton — scorers of 23 league goals — visit Anfield on Sunday.

Competition: Premier League
Fixture: Liverpool vs Brighton at Anfield on Sunday
Liverpool league record: Nine goals in seven matches (1.29 per game)
Liverpool cup record: 15 goals in four matches (3.75 per game)
Brighton: 23 Premier League goals already this season
At stake: Liverpool's first home league win under Iraola and a statement against the reigning champions Arsenal next

What was said

"I don't really know the reason. It's true that the LASK game is different but against Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, I think we've been offensively, especially, really good."
— Andoni Iraola, on Liverpool's scoring contrast

"In the Premier League, we are not scoring at this level and also we are probably defending better. They are different kind of games and different kind of opposition, I think more than [the difference being] the competitions, it is who you have played against."
— Andoni Iraola, after the 4-0 win over Villarreal

"I prefer to face low blocks in terms of the way we will be in control of the games - probably we will concede less chances and spend a lot of time in the opposition half. Some teams give you that situation straight away. Other teams do not give you that situation straightaway because they will try to control the game and play in your half."
— Andoni Iraola, in his first press conference as Liverpool boss in July

"I am looking forward to spending as much time inside the opposition half - with the ball and without the ball - because I feel we are closer to scoring from that position."
— Andoni Iraola, on his front-foot principles

Iraola's answers point firmly at opposition style. His side are controlling territory against deep defences but converting that control into Premier League goals far less readily than in Europe, where the games open up.

His July comments are now being tested. Iraola welcomed low blocks as a route to territorial dominance; the reality is that Liverpool have faced one in 28% of their league games, more than any other top-flight side, and have found the final touch elusive.

The numbers

Premier League: nine goals in seven games — 1.29 per game
Champions League and Carabao Cup: 15 goals in four games — 3.75 per game
Different scorers: 10 already this season
Clean sheets: three in the league; eight goals conceded in seven league games
Cup defending: eight goals conceded in four Champions League and Carabao Cup games
Conceded first: in four of seven league matches
Low block faced: 28% of league games — the most in the Premier League
High block faced: 15% — the fewest
Expected goals: the xG table suggests Liverpool should have scored 10.9 league goals
Context: Arsenal scored 11 Premier League goals this season and won the 2025-26 title with an average of 1.87 goals per game

Why Liverpool's territorial control is not turning into league goals

Iraola's preference for facing deep defences is rational in theory: more possession, fewer chances conceded, more time in the opposition half. The problem is that low blocks force Liverpool's attacking talent — Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha — to create in compressed space rather than the open field Iraola's Bournemouth side thrived in.

One current Champions League club analyst told BBC Sport that European football offers "more moments of technical brilliance", meaning Liverpool's new recruits do not have to adapt to that level. The Premier League is different, and Iraola's style benefits from space to attack.

The deeper issue is game state. Liverpool have conceded first in four of seven league games, which invites opponents to sit even deeper. The arrival of Isak, Wirtz, Barcola, Gakpo, Munoz and Ngumoha was intended to break exactly those defences. The 10.9 xG against nine actual goals shows the chances are there; the finishing and the final pass in tight areas are not.

Talking points

Is nine goals from seven games a finishing problem or a structural one? The 10.9 xG suggests Liverpool are creating enough and converting badly.
Iraola wanted low blocks, and he is getting them. Facing one in 28% of league games is the highest rate in the division — is his front-foot plan suited to it?
Conceding first in four of seven matches is the hidden story. It hands opponents exactly the deep shape Liverpool struggle to unpick.
Brighton, with 23 league goals, will try to control the ball at Anfield. That may suit Liverpool far more than another low block.

What happens next

Brighton visit Anfield on Sunday, where Liverpool are awaiting their first home Premier League win under Iraola — and the visitors will not be afraid to try to control the game. The reigning champions, Arsenal, follow. Two positive results would settle the narrative; a blank against Brighton would sharpen every question about Iraola's attacking plan.

Frequently asked questions

How many goals have Liverpool scored in the Premier League this season?

Liverpool have scored nine goals in their seven Premier League matches so far, an average of 1.29 per game.

Why are Liverpool scoring more in the Champions League than the Premier League?

Andoni Iraola says the difference is the opposition rather than the competition, noting Liverpool face low blocks in 28% of league games — more than any other Premier League side.