Liverpool draw 0-0 with Fulham at Anfield after quick European turnaround

Missed chances and defensive escapes

Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham at Anfield on Saturday, failing to score for the first time under head coach Andoni Iraola. Despite fielding an attacking lineup featuring Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz, and Alexander Isak, the hosts struggled to generate consistent openings against a defensive unit led by debutant centre-back David Affengruber. Liverpool's closest first-half chance came when Victor Munoz met a corner with a header, but Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno clawed the effort away from under the crossbar. Isak also missed the target from a tight angle early on after being played in by Barcola.

Fulham created several high-danger opportunities of their own, exploiting Liverpool's disjointed build-up play. The most dangerous moment arrived after an ill-advised pass from goalkeeper Alisson Becker left Ryan Gravenberch under pressure, allowing Sander Berge to win the ball and feed Josh King. Although Alisson slid in to challenge King, the forward slid a pass to Gonzalo Garcia, whose shot required a goal-line clearance from Jeremy Jacquet to prevent an opening goal. King later forced another save from Alisson, while Antonee Robinson headed wide from an Oscar Bobb delivery.

Squad fatigue and tactical adjustments

The fixture fell less than 72 hours after Liverpool's Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening. Iraola made three changes to his starting eleven, introducing Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch, and Munoz in place of Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Rio Ngumoha. However, the rotated players failed to inject energy into a sluggish collective performance, and Tsimikas was replaced by Kerkez at half-time after misplacing several routine passes.

“It is easy for me, for you, for everyone, (to say) the players were tired. There is a lack of freshness, definitely, we cannot hide it. I think it is the worst turnaround in terms of 60 or 70 hours between the games, but this is going to happen in the season and we have to adapt to these circumstances.”

Iraola continued his tactical reshuffle on the hour mark, replacing Gravenberch and Munoz with Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo. Liverpool generated improved possession control late in the match, testing Leno with a powerful strike from Dominik Szoboszlai following a setup by Mac Allister. Iraola brought on Jeremie Frimpong and Ngumoha in the 72nd minute, but Fulham held firm through stoppage time, when Isak headed wide from an injury-time corner.

“Collectively, we didn't play well. Many things we tried to do, we couldn't do it well. Obviously, it's a big challenge to play Wednesday night and Saturday evening, and you have another game Tuesday. But we need to get the right mentality to do that and I think it wasn't the case today. We have to improve for the next one.”

Fulham secure first league point

The result delivered Fulham their first Premier League point of the season after opening the campaign with three consecutive defeats and seven goals conceded. Manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who made 98 appearances for Liverpool between 2007 and 2009, organised a compact defensive structure that limited Liverpool to few clean looks. Arbeloa made two changes to his own starting lineup, giving Affengruber his club debut in place of Joachim Andersen and inserting Berge for Cesar Palacios.

“We worked so hard this week, and I'm so happy, not just for the point but for how my players played here. And I think this (result) is going to be important for us to believe in our idea. Of course, we need to keep improving.”

The draw leaves Liverpool unbeaten in the Premier League under Iraola, but the side has now drawn three of its first four league matches, having also drawn with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Liverpool have now won only four league matches at Anfield across 2026.