Fulham and boss Alvaro Arbeloa claimed their first Premier League point of the season with a goalless draw at Liverpool.
Less than 72 hours after the Reds beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, Andoni Iraola’s side lacked the intensity and urgency they showed on Wednesday night as they failed to score for the first time this term.
Arbeloa came into this game under pressure, with his side having lost each of their first three league games since he took charge in the summer. But his side put in a solid away performance and could have taken all three points if they were more ruthless in the final third.
Iraola made three Liverpool changes with Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch and Victor Munoz coming in for Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rio Ngumoha.
Arbeloa, who played 98 games for Liverpool between 2007 and 2009, made two changes with Austrian centre-back David Affengruber making his debut in place of Joachim Andersen and Sander Berge replacing Cesar Palacios.
Fulham should have taken the lead early on when Jeremy Jacquet had to clear Gonzalo Garcia’s effort off the line after a mix-up between keeper Alisson and Ryan Gravenberch that was entirely Liverpool’s own doing.
The visitors were better in the opening half but failed to make it count, with Josh King’s effort from inside the box saved by Alisson, before Antonee Robinson headed wide.
Munoz’s header was kept out by a strong save from Bernd Leno at the other end, while a Bradley Barcola volley was deflected behind by Timothy Castagne for a corner.
Kerkez came on at the break for Tsimikas, who struggled in the first half and by the hour mark, Gravenberch and Munoz were also replaced by Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo as Iraola looked to shift the momentum of the game.
Alexander Isak created an opening but his effort was saved comfortably by Leno, before the Fulham keeper kept out a powerful strike from Dominik Szoboszlai.
The hosts made another double change in the 72nd minute with Ngumoha and Jeremie Frimpong introduced, but it was to no avail.
Isak headed wide from an injury-time corner and Fulham – who created late chances through King and Kevin – held on for a valuable point.
