Liverpool head into Sunday's fixture against Brighton at Anfield still searching for their first Premier League home victory under Andoni Iraola, hampered by an unexpected domestic goal shortage. Across their opening seven top-flight encounters, the Reds have managed only nine goals, averaging a modest 1.29 per match. That return stands in sharp contrast to visitors Brighton, who have already found the net 23 times, and Manchester City with 20, both having scored more than double Liverpool's league tally so far this season.
The bluntness in league action is especially striking given Liverpool's free-scoring form across cup competitions, where they boast 15 goals from four games at an average of 3.75 per match. Iraola's squad scored four against Villarreal at Anfield just days after putting six past LASK in Austria during Champions League action, alongside a Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham. Questioned about the discrepancy, Iraola suggested the challenge comes down to the opposition faced rather than the tournaments themselves, with domestic rivals frequently setting up defensive roadblocks.
Statistics reveal that Liverpool have faced low blocks in 28 percent of their league games—more than any other side in the division—while encountering high blocks just 15 percent of the time. This tactic has proved particularly troublesome because Liverpool have conceded the opening goal in four of their seven league outings. Although former Bournemouth manager Iraola noted in July that he prefers facing deep defenses to maintain territory, a Champions League team analyst pointed out that European matches grant far more space for technical brilliance than the tight confines of Premier League setups.
Despite Mohamed Salah's departure, Liverpool retain substantial firepower, having already seen 10 different goalscorers among a squad featuring Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo, Victor Munoz, and Rio Ngumoha. The expected goals table indicates they should have registered 10.9 goals, yet eight top-flight teams—including newly promoted Ipswich and struggling Manchester United—have outscored them. With a defensively tighter record of three clean sheets and eight goals conceded, Iraola now hopes his attack will ignite against Brighton and reigning 2025-26 champions Arsenal.