Liverpool were unable to break the deadlock at Anfield, settling for a disappointing 0-0 draw as Fulham earned their inaugural point of the Premier League campaign on the Merseyside turf. The home side, who handed a maiden Premier League start to youngster Bradley Barcola, appeared a touch sluggish in ball retention from the opening whistle, a likely after‑effect of their recent exertions against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
A rare lapse from goalkeeper Alisson saw a ball slip through his hands, only to be cleared by Jeremy Jacquet after Goncalo Garcia threatened to capitalize on the mistake. The Reds came close to finding the net when Victor Muñoz rose powerfully from a corner delivered by Kostas Tsimikas, only to smash his header against the crossbar midway through the first half.
Despite the early pressure, Fulham, who entered the match on the back of three successive defeats under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa, managed to dominate possession and create several chances of their own. In the second half the visitors continued to test Liverpool's resolve. Substitute Josh King unleashed a long‑range effort that forced Alisson to tip the ball wide of the post, while Rodrigo Muniz, after being set up by fellow substitute Kevin, failed to finish a promising move, allowing the home side to maintain a slim lead.
In stoppage time, Alexander Isak rose to meet a Szoboszlai corner, but his header drifted wide, sealing the stalemate. The point leaves Andoni Iraola still searching for his first Premier League victory at Anfield.
To date, the Basque tactician has drawn three of his first four league fixtures at Liverpool's home ground, a record that reflects resilience but also a lack of cutting edge. While the team remains unbeaten under his stewardship, the lack of a win on home soil is a growing concern for a club accustomed to dominating at Anfield. Key moments of the match included: - 12' – Alisson's error nearly rewarded Goncalo Garcia, but Jeremy Jacquet cleared the danger.
- 22' – Victor Muñoz headed Tsimikas' corner onto the crossbar. - 76' – Josh King struck from distance, forcing Alisson to tip the ball over the bar. - 79' – Kevin's cross found Rodrigo Muniz, who failed to control the ball cleanly. - 90+1' – Alexander Isak's header from a Szoboszlai corner drifted wide.
Sky Sports correspondent Adam Bate offered his perspective from Anfield, noting that while there were celebrations earlier in the week when Iraola secured his first Champions League win against Atletico Madrid, the real test for the manager was the congested schedule that comes with competing on multiple fronts. The Basque coach, who earned plaudits for his work at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth, now faces the added pressure of European commitments alongside domestic duties. Bate argued that this match was the first real gauge of Iraola's ability to maintain his preferred high‑tempo style under a packed calendar.
Liverpool struggled to match the intensity that Iraola typically demands, starting slowly and never quite reaching the level required to dominate the game. Fulham, on the other hand, injected fresh attacking impetus through their substitutes, making them appear as likely to snatch a win as the Reds. Although Iraola's unbeaten streak as Liverpool's manager continues – a run that stretches back to early January when he guided the team to a series of draws and a win – the lack of points at home is a glaring issue. Both the Nottingham Forest and Fulham fixtures have yielded only two points, underscoring the need for a more decisive performance in upcoming matches.
Beyond the on‑field action, the match report also highlighted promotional offers for fans, including a chance to win £250,000 and £1 million through the Super 6 competition, encouraging readers to enter for free. In summary, Liverpool's inability to convert possession into goals left them sharing the spoils with a determined Fulham side. While the draw maintains their unbeaten record, it also amplifies the pressure on Andoni Iraola to secure a home victory soon.
The team will need to sharpen its attacking edge and adapt to the demanding schedule if they hope to return to winning ways at Anfield.