Andoni Iraola is yet to record a home Premier League victory as Liverpool manager after the Reds were held to a goalless draw by Fulham at Anfield.
Liverpool handed big-money signing Bradley Barcola his first Premier League start, but they struggled to reproduce the attacking intensity displayed in their consecutive wins over Ipswich Town and Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool could even have suffered defeat without Jeremy Jacquet’s goal-line clearance and a crucial save from Alisson, as a determined Fulham secured their first point under Alvaro Arbeloa.
Alexander Isak had Liverpool’s first opportunity, shooting across goal and wide after receiving a pass from Barcola.
However, Liverpool looked untidy throughout the opening half and were lucky not to concede after Ryan Gravenberch lost possession when attempting a short pass from Alisson. Josh King’s penalty appeal was dismissed before Gonzalo Garcia’s effort was cleared off the line by Jacquet.
Oscar Bobb was unable to make the most of a promising opportunity due to a poor first touch, as Fulham continued to expose weaknesses in Liverpool’s defence. At the opposite end, Bernd Leno denied Victor Munoz with a strong save from his header, while Florian Wirtz sent two efforts narrowly wide of the right post.
Fulham remained dangerous, with King particularly influential. Antonee Robinson headed wide after a well-worked move, leaving Liverpool supporters frustrated at the interval.
Iraola responded by introducing Milos Kerkez, Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister. Mac Allister forced Leno into another save with a powerful effort, shortly after the goalkeeper had denied Isak’s tame attempt.
Fulham continued to pose a threat after the restart, with Alisson comfortably collecting a Calvin Bassey header before producing another impressive save to push King’s effort around the post after the teenager slipped while attempting his shot.
Liverpool became increasingly frantic and disjointed in attack as the game progressed. Isak headed wide, while Rio Ngumoha failed to turn Jeremie Frimpong’s cross towards goal, leaving Liverpool with their third league draw of the 2026-27 campaign.
Liverpool’s home struggles continue
Ahead of matchday four, only Brighton (16.8%) and Chelsea (18%) had spent less time in a drawing game state in the Premier League this season than Liverpool (21%).
The statistic highlighted the unpredictable nature of Liverpool’s previous two draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, when the Reds had to fight back on both occasions.
This time, however, they could not find a way through, meaning Liverpool have now drawn their last four Premier League matches at Anfield, stretching back to last season.
Their previous longer home winless run in the competition came between December 2020 and March 2021, when they recorded two draws and six defeats.
Iraola’s team ultimately did little to justify taking all three points, narrowly winning the shot count 14-10 and edging the expected-goals figures 1.13 to 0.71.
The point will provide some relief for Arbeloa after Fulham opened the season with three consecutive defeats. They had previously lost their opening four matches of a top-flight campaign only twice, with both seasons ending in relegation, in 1951-52 and 2020-21.
