Liverpool were denied a victory at Anfield, settling for a frustrating 0-0 stalemate as Fulham earned their inaugural Premier League point of the campaign. The hosts, who handed Bradley Barcola his first start in the league, appeared a touch lethargic on the ball from the kickoff, still feeling the after‑effects of their recent European clash with Atletico Madrid.
An early mis‑cue from goalkeeper Alisson allowed Gonçalo Garcia a near‑goal, but Jeremy Jacquet intervened to clear the danger. The Reds did create a genuine chance when Victor Muñoz rose to meet a corner from Konstantinos Tsimikas, only to see his header smash against the cross‑bar midway through the first half.
Despite a poor run of form that saw them lose their opening three fixtures under Alvaro Arbeloa, Fulham managed to dominate possession for large spells and kept the pressure on Liverpool. The second half offered even clearer opportunities for the visitors. Josh King unleashed a long‑range effort that forced Alisson to tip the ball wide of the post, while a promising move saw substitute Kevin thread a pass to Rodrigo Muniz, who failed to finish cleanly. In stoppage time, Alexander Isak rose to meet a Szoboszlai corner but his header drifted just wide of the target.
The point leaves Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola still hunting for his first league win at Anfield. To date he has drawn three of his opening four Premier League matches, a record that reflects an unbeaten run but also a lingering sense of dissatisfaction. The few positives that emerged from the game can be credited to former Liverpool player‑turned‑coach Arbeloa, whose side showed resilience despite recent setbacks. Key moments of the match: - 12' – Alisson's distribution error nearly resulted in a goal, but Jacquet cleared the danger.
- 22' – Muñoz headed Tsimikas' corner onto the cross‑bar. - 76' – King struck from distance, Alisson tipped the ball over the bar. - 79' – Kevin delivered a cross, Muniz failed to control it cleanly. - 90+1' – Isak's header from a Szoboszlai corner went wide.
After the final whistle, Iraola addressed the media, acknowledging the fatigue that had hampered his side. "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 noted the unusually short turnaround of just over 60 hours between matches, describing it as "the worst turnaround" after a demanding European fixture. Iraola stressed the need for adaptation, pointing out that Liverpool must find ways to win through set‑pieces, long‑range efforts, or moments of individual brilliance – all of which were missing on the day.
Regarding the midfield battle, 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 in the first half.
It's clear. I think we improved this part a lot in the second half. We were better structured and controlled the game better, even without scoring," he explained. When asked whether playing at home was a factor, Iraola replied, "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 also spoke after the match, reflecting on the challenge of keeping belief among his players 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 highlighted the importance of balance and transition, especially against English sides known for their pace. "If you have chances, try to take those chances but also be a little bit more balanced and control the transition. 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.
He credited the intensive training on transition that began from day one, noting a shift after the Crystal Palace defeat that sharpened the squad's focus on ball retention and swift defensive recovery. Sky Sports' Adam Bate offered a broader perspective, noting the contrast between the euphoria of Iraola's first Champions League win over Atletico Madrid and the reality of a grueling domestic schedule. He observed that the Basque manager had previously thrived at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth without the extra load of European commitments, but this fixture marked his first real test of juggling multiple competitions.
"Liverpool were unable to play at the tempo that Iraola usually demands, starting slowly and struggling to raise the level. Fulham, with an injection of attacking substitutes of their own, looked as likely to win it," Bate wrote.
Iraola's unbeaten streak as Liverpool boss continues, stretching back to his early days with Bournemouth, yet his home record remains modest with only two points from the first three matches at Anfield. The club and its supporters will be eager for a more decisive performance in the upcoming fixtures. Overall, the match was a tactical chess game that ended without a breakthrough, but it provided valuable lessons for both managers. Liverpool must find a way to inject freshness and urgency into their play, while Fulham can take heart from securing a point against a traditionally dominant side.
The season is still in its early stages, and both teams will look to build on the experiences of this tightly contested encounter.