Liverpool and Fulham shared a goalless draw at Anfield on Saturday. The result extended Liverpool’s winless Premier League run at home and handed Fulham their first point of the season.
Andoni Iraola still waited for his first Premier League win at Anfield. The Spanish coach saw his side draw three of their opening four league matches. Meanwhile Alvaro Arbeloa guided Fulham to a hard-earned point after three straight defeats.
Liverpool started with intent. Alexander Isak raced onto a through ball from Ryan Gravenberch and shot narrowly wide. Soon after, a mix-up involving Alisson Becker gifted Gonzalo Garcia a clear opportunity. Jeremy Jacquet cleared the shot off the line.
Victor Munoz then headed a Kostas Tsimikas corner against the crossbar. Fulham also threatened before the break as Antonee Robinson headed wide. However neither side broke the deadlock.
After the interval Liverpool pressed higher. Bernd Leno denied both Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai. Bradley Barcola, making his first Premier League start, struggled to influence the play alongside Florian Wirtz and Isak.
Late in the contest Josh King tested Alisson with a curling effort from distance. The Brazilian goalkeeper tipped the ball over. Rodrigo Muniz later failed to control a promising cross when well placed.
Iraola spoke afterwards about the performance. “When you draw, especially at home, you can’t be happy,” he said. “Today we lacked a bit of freshness and we did not do enough offensively to make the difference.” He added that the quick turnaround after the midweek Champions League win played a part but insisted the team must adapt.
Arbeloa, a former Liverpool defender, watched his side defend resolutely and create the clearer openings. The point eased early pressure after a difficult start under the Spaniard.
The draw left Liverpool on six points from four matches. Fulham moved off the bottom with their first point. Both teams now turn attention to midweek cup fixtures.
