Liverpool held at Anfield as Fulham pick up first point
Liverpool were held to a frustrating goalless draw as Fulham picked up their first point of the Premier League season at Anfield.
Report and free match highlights as Liverpool and Fulham played out a goalless draw at Anfield; Victor Munoz hit the bar as Bradley Barcola made his first Premier League start; Fulham end losing streak under Alvaro Arbeloa; Third draw in four for Andoni Iraola
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Liverpool were held to a frustrating goalless draw as Fulham picked up their first point of the Premier League season at Anfield.
Liverpool, who gave a first Premier League start to Bradley Barcola, were a little sluggish in their use of the ball from the outset after their exertions against Atletico Madrid. Alisson's error was almost punished by Goncalo Garcia but Jeremy Jacquet cleared.
The Reds did come close to the breakthrough when Victor Munoz headed against the crossbar midway through the first half. But Fulham enjoyed plenty of possession despite coming into this in poor form having lost their first three under Alvaro Arbeloa.
They had the clearer chances in the second half too, Josh King forcing Alisson to tip the ball wide before Rodrigo Muniz should have finished when fed by fellow substitute Kevin as Fulham pushed for an unlikely winner. Alexander Isak glanced wide at the other end in stoppage time.
The result means that Andoni Iraola is still searching for his first Premier League win at Anfield and has now drawn three of his first four games in the competition as Liverpool boss. Unbeaten but unsatisfied. The positives here all belonged to the ex-Red Arbeloa.
12 - CLEARED! Garcia denied by Jacquet after Alisson's error
76 - SAVE ! King tries a shot from distance but Alisson tips over
79 - MISS! Kevin crosses but Muniz fails to control when through
90+1 - WIDE! Isak glances header wide from Szoboszlai's corner
There were celebrations at Anfield on Wednesday evening when Andoni Iraola picked up the first Champions League win of his coaching career against Atletico Madrid. But that win was always going to come at some point this season. There was a bigger question.
One of the themes of this Liverpool season was always likely to be how the Basque coach would be able to cope with an increased schedule, having impressed at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth without the added challenge of European commitments.
This was the first test of that and Liverpool did not pass it. They were unable to play at the tempo that Iraola usually demands, starting slowly and struggling to raise the level. Fulham, with an injection of attacking substitutes of their own, looked as likely to win it.
Iraola's unbeaten run as Liverpool boss continues, one that extends back to the first week of January for him personally given his exploits with the Cherries. But home games against Nottingham Forest and Fulham have yielded only two points. More is needed.
