Liverpool Stumble to Goalless Draw Against Fulham at Anfield

Liverpool’s early Premier League campaign continues to lack the promised impact at Anfield, as a goalless draw against Fulham marked only the third time in six decades the club failed to win both of its opening home league matches. The result follows a midweek Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid and leaves new head coach Andoni Iraola facing questions about how his side will manage a congested fixture schedule.

Despite Fulham having conceded seven goals across their first three league games and entering the match with limited confidence, Liverpool appeared sluggish and disconnected. The performance contrasted sharply with the intensity displayed against Diego Simeone’s side, raising concerns about the team’s physical and mental sharpness.

Iraola acknowledged the shortcomings after the match, stating, “What was lacking was quite clear, it is the first game we had problems to create chances and score goals and make the difference offensively, and that is the main reason we couldn’t create chances.” Liverpool remain unbeaten but have collected only six points from four league games, with draws against Nottingham Forest, Fulham, and Newcastle, alongside a sole victory at Ipswich.

Goalkeeper Alisson was candid in his assessment, telling Sky Sports, “We are not happy at all with the draw. It is not something that should happen with Liverpool. To be unbeaten, but with three draws, is not something to celebrate too much with this shirt.” He added that the squad must learn to perform on three days’ rest, emphasizing the need for the correct mental state.

The starting lineup featured the club’s £364m attacking trio of Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, and Florian Wirtz in a league match for the first time. However, the partnership yielded little, with Isak recording just 16 touches—the second-lowest total for an outfield player under Iraola. Wirtz appeared subdued compared to his midweek performance, while Barcola showed occasional promise.

Iraola noted that Barcola is still building fitness, saying, “Bradley is one we are building up physically with games and the games will give him the condition we want.” He also pointed to a broader lack of freshness, admitting, “We lack the freshness. I only remember one clear chance [for Fulham] and we kept the structure but offensively we need to do much better.”

The tactical approach under Iraola has emphasized high intensity regardless of short rest periods. Prior to the Atletico match, he insisted he did not want players conserving energy, remarking, “You play 55 minutes for me and you are dead and ask for a sub, then perfect. We have a top-level 55 minutes and then a top-level 35 minutes.”

That philosophy was tested against Fulham, with all three substitutes—Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch, and Victor Munoz—being replaced by the 60th minute due to fatigue. Further changes including Milos Kerkez, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, Rio Ngumoha, and Jeremie Frimpong failed to significantly improve the attack.

Iraola admitted the challenge: “The players were tired and there is a lack of freshness – we cannot hide it. This is the worst turnaround in terms of 60 or 70 hours since the last game, but this is going to happen in the season and we have to adapt.”

With seven additional Champions League fixtures and a Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham awaiting, Liverpool must find ways to secure results during tight turnarounds if they are to compete for major honors this season.