Liverpool vs Fulham ended in another disappointing draw for the Reds at Anfield as Alvaro Arbeloa’s visitors claimed their first Premier League point of the season, while Andoni Iraola’s side struggled to reproduce the intensity that helped them beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League less than 72 hours earlier.
The result was another frustrating afternoon for Liverpool, who failed to score in a home league game for the first time since Leeds United visited in January. Fulham, meanwhile, produced a disciplined performance and could even have taken all three points had they been more clinical in the final third.
Liverpool vs Fulham ends in frustrating Anfield stalemate
The goalless draw came after a demanding period for Liverpool, who had only recently celebrated a Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid, and the difference in energy levels was evident from the opening stages as the hosts struggled to establish the control and attacking rhythm expected at Anfield.
Iraola made three changes to his starting XI, bringing Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch and Victor Munoz into the team in place of Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rio Ngumoha.
Fulham also made two changes, with Austrian centre-back David Affengruber making his debut and Sander Berge coming into the side for Joachim Andersen and Cesar Palacios respectively.
The visitors were the more threatening side during the opening stages and should have taken the lead when Gonzalo Garcia’s effort appeared destined for the net, only for Jeremy Jacquet to clear the ball off the line after a costly mix-up between Alisson and Gravenberch.
It was a moment entirely of Liverpool’s own making and one that underlined the uncertainty within the home side during a surprisingly flat first half.
Fulham continued to find opportunities, with Josh King forcing Alisson into a save from inside the penalty area before Antonee Robinson headed wide. Liverpool eventually created openings of their own, as Victor Munoz saw a header saved strongly by Bernd Leno, while Bradley Barcola had a volley deflected behind by Timothy Castagne.
Neither side could find the breakthrough before half-time, although Fulham could feel disappointed that they had not made more of their promising first-half opportunities.
Liverpool struggle to find attacking spark
Iraola attempted to change the momentum after the interval, replacing Tsimikas with Kerkez after the former struggled during the first half.
By the hour mark, further changes followed as Gravenberch and Munoz were withdrawn for Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, with Liverpool looking for greater control and creativity as the game began to drift away from them.
Alexander Isak created an opening shortly after coming into the contest, but his effort was comfortably saved by Leno, who was becoming increasingly important to Fulham’s hopes of taking something from the match.
Dominik Szoboszlai then tested the Fulham goalkeeper with a powerful strike, but Leno once again stood firm, ensuring that Liverpool remained frustrated in front of their home supporters.
Iraola made another double change in the 72nd minute, introducing Ngumoha and Jeremie Frimpong as the hosts increased the pressure, but Fulham’s defensive organisation remained intact.
The visitors defended their penalty area effectively and limited Liverpool to difficult opportunities, while the Reds struggled to create the clear chances required to turn their late pressure into a winning goal.
Isak came closest during stoppage time when he headed wide from a corner, but Fulham survived the final moments and secured a valuable point.
Liverpool’s third draw in three games adds to concern
The result was Liverpool’s third draw in three games, and it was particularly frustrating because the Reds had an opportunity to build momentum after their impressive European victory.
A return of six points from the opening four league matches is not necessarily cause for alarm, but the repeated failure to win at Anfield will certainly give Iraola something to consider, particularly after Liverpool also drew with Nottingham Forest at home.
Including the end of last season, the result represents four consecutive home Premier League draws for Liverpool, while the failure to score also ended a long run of finding the net at Anfield.
Fulham Earn Their First Point of the Season
Fulham, by contrast, can take considerable encouragement from their performance after a difficult start to the campaign. Arbeloa arrived under pressure after his team lost each of their opening three league matches, but his players responded with a determined display that demonstrated their willingness to fight for their manager.
Affengruber was particularly impressive on his Fulham debut, while captain Calvin Bassey also produced a strong performance at the heart of the defense. The visitors even recorded more touches in Liverpool’s penalty area, with 24 compared to the hosts’ 18.
Had Fulham been more ruthless in front of goal, they could have left Anfield with all three points, but the draw still represents a significant step forward for Arbeloa.
The result also made him the first former Liverpool Premier League player to collect a point against the club as a manager, following previous defeats suffered by Paul Ince, Mauricio Pellegrino and Steven Gerrard.
For Liverpool, however, the performance will be remembered as an afternoon when a team that had looked full of energy in Europe appeared strangely flat on familiar ground.
