Liverpool were unable to break the deadlock at Anfield, settling for a goalless draw while Fulham earned their inaugural point of the Premier League campaign. The match unfolded with both sides showing flashes of quality, but ultimately neither could find the net, leaving the hosts frustrated and the visitors relieved.

From the kickoff, Liverpool appeared a touch sluggish, perhaps still feeling the aftereffects of their recent European clash against Atletico Madrid. The Reds handed a first‑team Premier League debut to Bradley Barcola, but his introduction did little to spark an immediate surge in tempo.

Early on, Alisson Becker made a rare mistake, spilling a ball that Gonzalo Garcia nearly turned into a goal before Jeremy Jacquet cleared the danger. That early scare highlighted Liverpool's tentative start and the fine margins that would define the encounter.

Liverpool’s best chance before the break came midway through the first half when Victor Muñoz rose powerfully from a corner delivered by Kostas Tsimikas, only to see his header smash against the crossbar. The rebound was quickly cleared, but the moment underscored how close the home side came to taking the lead.

Meanwhile, Fulham, despite a shaky start to the season that saw them lose their first three league fixtures under manager Álvaro Arbeloa, managed to dominate possession for large spells, keeping Liverpool on the back foot and forcing the hosts to chase the ball. The second half offered Fulham a series of opportunities that threatened to tilt the balance in their favour.

Josh King unleashed a long‑range effort that forced Alisson to tip the ball wide, demonstrating the visitors' willingness to test the Liverpool goalkeeper from distance. Later, substitute Kevin supplied a low cross that found Rodrigo Muñiz, who failed to control the ball cleanly and missed a clear chance to put Fulham ahead.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Alexander Isak rose to meet a corner from Dominik Szoboszlai, only to glance his header wide of the far post, leaving the game deadlocked. The point leaves Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola still searching for his first Premier League victory at Anfield.

So far, he has drawn three of his first four league matches at the historic stadium, a record that reflects an unbeaten yet unsatisfying start. The positives, according to many observers, belong to former Liverpool player Álvaro Arbeloa, whose side displayed resilience and tactical discipline despite early-season struggles. Key moments of the match: - 12' – Alisson's error nearly rewarded Gonzalo Garcia, but Jeremy Jacquet cleared the danger.

- 22' – Victor Muñoz heads Tsimikas' corner onto the crossbar. - 76' – Josh King attempts a long‑range strike, Alisson tips it over. - 79' – Kevin's cross finds Muñiz, who fails to control the ball. - 90+1' – Alexander Isak's header from Szoboszlai's corner goes wide.

Post‑match, Iraola addressed the media, acknowledging his squad's fatigue and the lack of freshness after a grueling schedule. "In the end, this is the easier one for me, for you, for everyone – our players were tired. I think there is a lack of freshness, definitely.

We cannot hide it," he said. He reflected on the short turnaround between games, noting that the 60‑plus hours between fixtures after a demanding European night was a challenge that would recur throughout the season.

"We have to adapt to these circumstances," Iraola added, emphasizing the need for decisive moments – whether from set‑pieces, long‑range shots, or moments of individual brilliance – that were missing on the day. Regarding midfield control, Iraola admitted that Liverpool arrived late to the press in the first half, but praised the team's improvement after halftime. "We were better structured in the second half and controlled the game more, even without scoring," he explained.

When asked if playing at home was a factor, he dismissed any external excuses, insisting the answer lay within the team's own performance. Fulham head coach Álvaro Arbeloa also spoke at the press conference, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining belief when results are not forthcoming.

"When you are not winning games, it's not easy for your players to believe in your ideas," he said. Yet he stressed that his squad had embraced his tactical approach, learning from mistakes and understanding the league's unforgiving nature. Arbeloa emphasized the importance of balance and transition, especially against English teams known for their pace.

He noted that after a hard‑fought match against Crystal Palace, his side had refined their approach to ball retention and defensive organization. Sky Sports' Adam Bate provided a broader perspective on Liverpool's season, noting that the club's first Champions League win under Iraola against Atletico Madrid earlier in the week was an inevitable milestone, but the real question lay in how the Basque coach would handle an increasingly congested fixture list. The Anfield test revealed that Liverpool struggled to maintain the high tempo Iraola typically demands, starting slowly and never fully finding their rhythm. Fulham's injection of attacking substitutes kept the pressure on, making the draw feel like a missed opportunity for the hosts.

Iraola's unbeaten run as Liverpool manager continues, extending back to his tenure at Bournemouth, but the home draws against Nottingham Forest and now Fulham have yielded only two points. The club and its supporters will be looking for a more decisive performance in the coming weeks, especially as the schedule tightens and the battle for European qualification intensifies.

Overall, the match was a tactical chess game, with both managers making adjustments and players showing glimpses of quality. While Liverpool will be disappointed not to have secured three points at home, the draw still preserves their unbeaten record. Fulham, on the other hand, can take confidence from their resilient display and the valuable point earned at one of the Premier League's most iconic venues.

The result also serves as a reminder of the fine margins in top‑flight football – a crossbar, a missed header, a tipped save – all of which can turn a potential victory into a stalemate. Both sides will now turn their attention to upcoming fixtures, hoping to convert the lessons learned into wins that propel them up the league table.