Fulham Claim First Point of Season in Anfield Draw

Fulham collected their first Premier League point of the campaign with a disciplined draw at Anfield, giving Álvaro Arbeloa encouragement after a difficult opening to the season. The Cottagers had lost each of their first three league matches against Chelsea, Sunderland and Crystal Palace, but produced a far more organised display against Arbeloa’s former club.

Fulham find defensive balance at Anfield

Arbeloa was pleased not only with the point but with the control his side showed against Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool. Fulham had struggled for results in their first three fixtures, yet limited Liverpool’s opportunities to break quickly and kept their shape throughout the contest.

Fulham’s point was their first after three consecutive league defeats.
Arbeloa said the squad had identified the issues exposed in the loss to Crystal Palace.
He felt his players had corrected those problems during the week and arrived at Anfield better balanced.
The Fulham manager praised his side’s work in containing Liverpool’s counter-attacking threat.

Arbeloa said the performance mattered as much as the result, particularly in a demanding away fixture. He believes the team had also shown promising elements in the defeats to Chelsea and Crystal Palace, despite failing to take points from either game.

The former Liverpool defender acknowledged that it can be difficult to persuade supporters that progress is being made while results are poor. However, he said Fulham’s response on Merseyside showed they can become an awkward opponent for any side in the division.

Liverpool’s home-draw sequence continues

The stalemate extended an unwanted run for Iraola, who has secured only one domestic win since taking over from Arne Slot during the summer. That victory came in a 2-0 result against promoted Ipswich Town, while Liverpool have also drawn three league matches.

Liverpool have now drawn four Premier League home games in succession.
The club had not endured four straight league draws at home for 15 years.
Iraola’s only domestic victory since his appointment was the 2-0 win over Ipswich.

For Fulham, the result provided evidence that their defensive work can translate into points after the early losses. Arbeloa’s side will now seek to turn that resilience into a first win of the season.

Emotional return for Arbeloa

The visit also carried personal significance for Arbeloa. He spent two and a half years at Liverpool as a reliable full-back under Rafa Benítez, and this was his first return to Anfield since leaving the club.

Arbeloa said the ground remains special to him and was grateful for the reception from Liverpool supporters. He expressed hope that he would have another opportunity to return in the future.