Liverpool were denied a win at Anfield, settling for a frustrating 0-0 draw while Fulham earned their inaugural point of the Premier League campaign. The home side, who handed a first‑team Premier League debut to Bradley Barcola, appeared sluggish from the kickoff, still feeling the after‑effects of their demanding Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid. Early on, a mistake from goalkeeper Alisson gave Goncalo Garcia a golden opportunity, but Jeremy Jacquet intervened to clear the danger.
The Reds came close to breaking the deadlock when Victor Munoz rose to meet a corner from Kostas Tsimikas, only to thump the ball against the crossbar midway through the first half. Despite a poor run of form that saw Fulham lose their opening three matches under manager Alvaro Arbeloa, the visitors enjoyed a surprising amount of possession and created several chances. The second half offered Fulham the sharper edges.
Josh King unleashed a long‑range effort that forced Alisson to tip the ball wide, while substitute Kevin delivered a low cross that found Rodrigo Muniz, who failed to control the ball cleanly and missed a clear chance. In added time, Alexander Isak rose to meet a Szoboszlai corner, but his header drifted wide, leaving the score unchanged. The draw means Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola remains without a Premier League victory at Anfield, having drawn three of his first four league fixtures in charge.
While the team stays unbeaten, the lack of wins is a growing concern. Arbeloa, the former Liverpool player, can claim the few positives that emerged from the match. Key moments: - 12' – Alisson fumbles a ball, Garcia nearly scores before Jacquet clears.
- 22' – Munoz heads Tsimikas' corner onto the crossbar. - 76' – King fires from distance; Alisson tips the shot over the bar.
- 79' – Kevin crosses; Muniz fails to control and loses the chance. - 90+1' – Isak's header from Szoboszlai's corner goes wide.
After the match, Iraola addressed the media: "In the end, this was the easier one for me, for you, for everyone – our players were tired. There is a clear lack of freshness, and we cannot hide it. The turnaround between games was about sixty‑something hours after a massive fixture, and that will happen more often.
We have to adapt to these circumstances. We need to win games like this, sometimes from a set piece, sometimes from a long‑range effort, sometimes from a moment of brilliance, and we didn’t produce that today. Our offensive output was below the standard we have shown on other occasions." He continued on midfield control: "Especially in the first half we were late to press.
It’s obvious. We improved that in the second half, becoming better structured and controlling the game more, even if we didn’t find the net." On the home‑advantage question, Iraola said: "I didn’t feel any pressure three days ago against Atletico. Is it because we haven’t won?
I don’t know. I definitely prefer playing at home, but we can’t blame external factors – the reasons lie within the pitch." Fulham’s head coach Alvaro Arbeloa also spoke: "When you’re not winning, it’s harder for players to trust your ideas. Winning makes everything easier, but I’ve shown the squad the work we’re doing and they believe in the process.
We did many things well, yet we made mistakes – and in this league, mistakes are punished. We need to seize our chances and also be more balanced in transitions, especially against English sides with rapid players. From day one we trained intensively on transition, and after the Crystal Palace game we refined our approach to being balanced when in possession." Sky Sports’ Adam Bate provided context: celebrations had erupted at Anfield when Iraola secured his first Champions League win against Atletico, but that triumph was always expected to come at some point. The bigger question has been whether the Basque coach can handle an intensified schedule, having impressed at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth without the extra European load.
This fixture was his first real test of that challenge, and Liverpool fell short. They struggled to match the tempo Iraola demands, starting slowly and failing to raise their intensity. Fulham, bolstered by attacking substitutes, looked equally capable of taking all three points.
Iraola’s unbeaten run as Liverpool’s manager persists, extending back to his early days at Bournemouth, yet home games against Nottingham Forest and Fulham have yielded only two points. More decisive performances are required if Liverpool hopes to climb the table.
Overall, the match highlighted Liverpool’s fatigue, a need for sharper pressing, and a desire for greater creativity in the final third. Fulham, despite a modest record this season, demonstrated resilience and the ability to compete at Anfield, earning a valuable point that could prove crucial in their fight for survival.
The draw leaves both managers with clear areas to address as the season progresses.