Bernd Leno proved immovable between the sticks as Fulham frustrated Liverpool with a disciplined defensive display at Anfield. Despite the hosts dominating possession with 56 percent and firing 14 shots, they could not breach a well-organized Fulham backline, leaving both sides to settle for a goalless draw. For Araola’s visitors, sitting 17th in the table, the point represents a hard-earned defensive masterclass and only their second of the season.
Key Moments
- 45′, Konstantinos Tsimikas was taken off at half-time, with Milos Kerkez introduced on the left side as Liverpool looked to inject more attacking intent down the flank.
- 60′, Iraola made a double change, bringing on Alexis Mac Allister for Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo for Víctor Muñoz, shifting Liverpool into a more offensive shape as the hosts chased a breakthrough.
- 63′, Fulham made their first substitution, replacing Oscar Bobb with Kenny Tete as Arbeloa sought to shore up his defensive structure.
- 72′, Liverpool made two more changes simultaneously, introducing Jeremie Frimpong and Rio Ngumoha for Ronald Araujo and Bradley Barcola. Fulham also acted, sending on Kevin Santos Lopes de Macedo for Timothy Castagne.
- 77′, Arbeloa used all three remaining Fulham substitutions at once, bringing on Rodrigo Muniz, Emile Smith Rowe and Hugo Larsson for Gonzalo Garcia, Josh King and Alex Iwobi.
- 81′, Kenny Tete picked up a yellow card for a foul, Fulham’s only booking of the afternoon.
Tactical Breakdown
Liverpool set up in a 4-2-3-1 and controlled large portions of the match, finishing with 56 percent possession and 495 passes, 412 of which found a teammate. They generated 14 shots in total, nine from inside the box, but only three tested Leno directly. Florian Wirtz drifted between the lines throughout, while Alexander Isak occupied the center-forward position without finding the finish his side needed. The problem was less about volume and more about precision: six shots missed the target entirely, and five more were blocked before reaching Leno.
The double substitution at the hour mark was Iraola’s clearest attempt to change the game. Mac Allister’s introduction gave Liverpool more control in the middle third, and Gakpo added a physical presence in attack, but Fulham’s back four held its shape and gave them little room to operate in dangerous areas. The timing of Frimpong’s arrival at right back also shifted the attacking width, yet the final product never came.
Fulham’s game plan was clear from the start. Arbeloa set up in a matching 4-2-3-1 and prioritized compactness over ambition, content to absorb Liverpool’s pressure and look for moments on the break. The visitors actually matched Liverpool in terms of shots on goal, four to three, and earned eight corner kicks to Liverpool’s five. Sander Berge and Sander Charles provided a sturdy midfield screen, and the back four conceded very little space in behind. Where Fulham fell short was in converting their own limited attacking opportunities, with Gonzalo Garcia and Josh King unable to create a decisive moment before being withdrawn.
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Verdict
Liverpool drop two points at home and remain sixth on six points, level on points with Brentford and Ipswich but without a win in three straight league outings. Their early form reads DWDD, and the gap to the top two, Manchester City and Arsenal, both on nine points, is already three. Fulham pick up a precious point to move to second in the table from bottom, but three losses in four games means Arbeloa’s side has work to do if they want to climb away from the lower reaches of the division.