Liverpool were denied a win at Anfield, settling for a goalless stalemate while Fulham earned their inaugural point of the Premier League campaign on the host turf. The Reds, who handed Bradley Barcola his first start in the league, appeared a touch lethargic from the kickoff, still feeling the after‑effects of their demanding Europa League clash against Atletico Madrid. An early mishap from goalkeeper Alisson, where his distribution nearly found its way to Goncalo Garcia, was rescued by a timely clearance from Jeremy Jacquet, preventing an early concession.
The first half saw Liverpool flirt with danger when Victor Munoz rose to meet a corner from Kostas Tsimikas, only to see his header smash against the crossbar. Despite the disappointment, Fulham were not short of possession, even though they entered the match on a three‑game losing streak under manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Their ability to retain the ball and create chances suggested a team beginning to find its rhythm. The second half offered Fulham the sharper edges.
Josh King unleashed a long‑range effort that forced Alisson into a reflexive tip, while substitute Kevin supplied a low cross that found Rodrigo Muniz in space; the Brazilian striker, however, failed to control the ball cleanly and missed a clear opportunity. In injury time, Alexander Isak rose to meet a corner from Dominik Szoboszlai, but his header drifted wide, leaving the visitors just short of a dramatic winner. The draw extends Andoni Iraola’s quest for a first league triumph at Anfield. The Basque coach has now drawn three of his opening four Premier League fixtures with Liverpool, maintaining an unbeaten record but still yearning for a victory.
The positive notes from the match largely belong to former Liverpool player‑turned‑coach Arbeloa, whose side showed resilience despite recent setbacks. Key moments of the match: - 12' – Alisson’s errant pass nearly gifted Garcia a chance, but Jacquet cleared the danger. - 22' – Munoz’s header from Tsimikas’ corner rattles the bar. - 76' – King’s long‑range strike forces Alisson to tip the ball over the bar.
- 79' – Kevin’s cross finds Muniz, who fails to control and miss the chance. - 90+1' – Isak’s header from Szoboszlai’s corner goes wide. After the final whistle, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola addressed the media, acknowledging the fatigue that plagued his squad. "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 highlighted the cramped schedule, noting a "worst turnaround" of just over 60 hours between matches after a taxing European night.
Iraola stressed the need for adaptation, insisting that victories often hinge on set‑pieces, long‑range attempts, or moments of individual brilliance – elements that were missing on the day. Discussing midfield control, Iraola admitted that Liverpool were late to press in the first half, but praised the improvement after the break.
"We were arriving late to the presses. It's clear.
I think we improved this part a lot in the second half. I think we've been better structured, I think we controlled better the game in the second half, even without scoring the goal," he explained.
When asked whether playing at home was a factor, Iraola responded, "I didn't feel it three days ago against Atletico Madrid. Is it because we haven't won? I don't know.
I prefer to play at home, definitely I prefer to play at home. We cannot find the reasons outside, we have to find the reasons inside the pitch." Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa reflected on his side’s performance, acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining belief when results are not forthcoming.
"I know that when you are not winning games, it's not so easy that your players believe in your ideas. I know everything is easy when you win but they believe in the way that we have been working and I showed them the things that we were doing so well," he said.
Arbeloa praised the improvements his team displayed, while also warning that mistakes are costly in the Premier League. He emphasized the importance of balance and transition, especially against English sides with rapid players. "If you have chances, try to take those chances but also to be a little bit more balanced and control the transition against a team when all teams here in England have quick players. I think we did better and we realised how important it is to be balanced," he added.
Sky Sports correspondent Adam Bate offered a broader perspective, noting that the atmosphere at Anfield on Wednesday had been celebratory after Iraola’s first Champions League win over Atletico Madrid. However, the victory was expected to come later in the season, and the real question now revolves around Iraola’s capacity to manage an intensified fixture list.
The Basque manager, who impressed at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth without the added strain of European commitments, faced his first true test of squad rotation and stamina. Bate argued that Liverpool struggled to match the tempo Iraola typically demands, starting slowly and failing to lift the intensity as the match progressed. Fulham, buoyed by attacking substitutes, appeared equally eager to seize the point.
While Iraola’s unbeaten streak as Liverpool’s manager persists – a run dating back to his early days at Bournemouth – his home record remains modest, with only two points collected from matches against Nottingham Forest and Fulham. In summary, the encounter left Liverpool unbeaten but still yearning for that elusive home win, while Fulham can take heart from a hard‑earned point that could serve as a catalyst for a turnaround in their early‑season fortunes. The fixture underscored the challenges of congested schedules, the necessity of squad depth, and the fine margins that separate a draw from a victory in the Premier League.