Liverpool's Anfield fear factor under strain after home winless run

Liverpool's home aura has come under fresh scrutiny after a 3-0 defeat by Manchester City at Anfield, a game that turned decisively when Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the 62nd minute. The result ended Andoni Iraola's unbeaten start; it was his first Premier League defeat in 24 games (W10, D13) since January, a run that includes his time at Bournemouth.

WHAT HAPPENED
Liverpool were competitive for much of the match, but after the red card they conceded three goals and were described by Iraola as having played “two different games. One until the red card, and then after.” The loss leaves the Reds winless in three Premier League home matches this season—although they have recorded Anfield wins in the Champions League and Carabao Cup—and marks just the second time ever they have started a season with that home league record.

KEY CONTEXT
The current league winless run at Anfield stretches back to last season; Liverpool are now without a victory in five successive Premier League home games (D4, L1). Since the start of the year, they have won only four of 13 Anfield Premier League matches and, over that period, have actually won more often away than at home. Statistical analysis in the source text notes Liverpool’s Anfield home form has dropped season by season since 2023–24, while historically away sides have a lower win percentage at Anfield (12.5%) than at any other stadium in Premier League history.

SCORING AND ABSENCES
A clear issue this season has been goal-scoring: Liverpool have scored seven Premier League goals so far, just two of them at Anfield, and only seven teams have fewer. Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai were absent from the match with injuries and were shown in the Main Stand; the three players have combined for six of Liverpool’s seven league goals this season.

REACTIONS
Former defender Stephen Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live that Liverpool are “an easy touch at the moment” and argued the side lack leaders beyond Virgil van Dijk, who he said was “barking orders.” Paul Scholes told a podcast he believes the crowd’s intimidating influence has diminished since Jurgen Klopp’s era, and Nicky Butt suggested visiting teams are no longer beaten before they reach the Anfield steps as they once were.