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Winless and an 'easy touch' - what's happened to the Anfield fear factor?

Liverpool’s recent struggles at Anfield have reignited concerns about the club’s home form under new manager Andoni Iraola. The Reds suffered a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in their first Premier League loss in 24 games since January, with a red card in the 62nd minute marking a turning point in the match.

Despite early dominance, Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, ending their unbeaten run and extending their winless streak in Premier League home games to five—including four draws—across two seasons. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock criticized the team’s lack of defensive intensity, calling them an ‘easy touch’ and noting a shortage of leadership beyond Virgil van Dijk.

The decline in home performances is stark: Liverpool have won just four of their last 13 Premier League matches at Anfield, while their away record over the same period has been stronger, underscoring a troubling trend in their season-long form. Historically, Anfield has been one of the toughest venues in Premier League history, with visiting teams winning just 12.5% of matches there.

Yet, recent visitors appear more comfortable, with pundits like Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt suggesting the crowd’s intimidating presence has diminished under Iraola’s tenure. With only seven goals scored this season—just two at home—and a ninth-place league standing, Liverpool’s defensive and attacking issues remain critical priorities as they seek to restore Anfield’s fearsome reputation.

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