Liverpool were unable to break the deadlock at Anfield, settling for a 0-0 draw as Fulham earned their inaugural point of the Premier League campaign on the host turf. The home side, who handed a maiden top‑flight start to winger Bradley Barcola, appeared a touch sluggish from the kickoff, a likely after‑effect of the taxing clash they had endured against Atletico Madrid just days earlier. Early on, goalkeeper Alisson made a mis‑cue that almost gifted Goncalo Garcia a scoring opportunity, but a timely clearance from Jeremy Jacquet averted any immediate danger.
The Reds did flirt with a breakthrough when Victor Munoz rose to meet a corner from Kostas Tsimikas, only to see his header smash against the cross‑bar midway through the first half. Despite the setback, Fulham enjoyed generous spells of possession, even though they arrived at Anfield on the back of three consecutive defeats under manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Their resilience was evident, and they generated the sharper chances in the second half. Josh King forced Alisson into a reflex save, tipping the ball wide, while substitute Kevin supplied a low cross that found Rodrigo Muniz, who failed to control the ball cleanly and missed the chance to put Fulham ahead.
In injury time, Alexander Isak rose to meet a Szoboszlai corner but his header drifted wide, leaving the visitors still searching for a winner. The stalemate means Andoni Iraola is still hunting for his first Premier League victory at Anfield. To date, he has drawn three of his opening four league fixtures as Liverpool’s manager.
The team remains unbeaten, yet the lack of a win is a source of frustration for the Basque tactician. On a positive note, many of the commendable moments on the pitch can be attributed to former Liverpool player‑turned‑coach Arbeloa, who has managed to keep his side competitive despite a poor run of form. Key match moments: - 12' – Alisson’s error nearly rewarded Garcia, but Jacquet cleared the danger.
- 22' – Munoz’s header from Tsimikas’ corner rattles the bar. - 76' – King fires from distance, Alisson tips 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 sails wide.
After the final whistle, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola addressed the media: "Honestly, this was the easier scenario for me and for everyone – our players were clearly fatigued. There was a noticeable lack of freshness, and we can’t pretend otherwise. The turnaround between games was brutal – just over 60 hours after a massive encounter with Atletico. That kind of scheduling will become more common, perhaps with an extra day of rest, perhaps not.
We have to adapt. In matches like this, you need a set‑piece goal, a strike from the edge of the box, or a moment of individual brilliance. We didn’t produce any of that today. Our attacking output was below the standards we set in previous games." On midfield control, Iraola added: "In the first half we were late to press, that’s evident.
We improved that aspect in the second half, became better structured, and managed the game more effectively, even if the goal didn’t come." When asked whether playing at home was a factor, he replied: "Three days ago against Atletico I didn’t feel any pressure at Anfield. Is it because we haven’t won yet? I don’t know.
I definitely prefer playing at home, but we can’t blame external factors – we must look inside the pitch for answers." Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa also spoke after the match: "When you’re not winning, it’s hard to keep the squad believing in your ideas. Winning makes everything easier, but I’ve seen my players trust the process we’ve built.
We executed many things well, though we made mistakes – and in this league, mistakes are punished. It’s crucial to seize chances and maintain balance, especially during transitions, as English teams are quick. We’ve improved in that area and recognized how vital balance is when we have the ball." Arbeloa reflected on his preparation, noting that the team had been working intensively on transition since day one, and that the experience against Crystal Palace earlier in the season highlighted the importance of balance in possession.
Sky Sports’ correspondent Adam Bate offered his perspective from Anfield: "There were celebrations at Anfield after Iraola’s first Champions League win against Atletico, but that triumph was always due. The bigger question has been whether the Basque coach can handle an expanded schedule, having impressed at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth without the extra European fixtures. This match was his first real test, and Liverpool fell short.
They could not match the tempo Iraola typically demands, starting sluggishly and never finding the rhythm. Fulham, bolstered by attacking substitutes, looked just as capable of taking the points." Bate continued, "Iraola’s unbeaten run as Liverpool manager persists – it stretches back to his early days with the Cherries – yet home games against Nottingham Forest and Fulham have yielded merely two points.
The club will need more than draws to satisfy supporters and meet ambitions." Overall, the fixture highlighted Liverpool’s ongoing struggle to convert possession into goals and to maintain intensity across a congested calendar. While the defensive solidity remained, the attacking spark that fans crave was missing, leaving both managers aware of the work required ahead. The draw leaves Liverpool still unbeaten but still yearning for that elusive home victory to cement Iraola’s credentials at Anfield. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m!
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