Liverpool 0-0 Fulham; Iraola yet to win this season as both sides settle for a draw

Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by a battling Fulham side at Anfield, making it four straight league games without a win for Andoni Iraola's side.

Fulham leave Anfield with their first point of the season.

Alvaro Arbeloa's side put in an attacking display, starting strong in the opening exchanges and creating the game's first shot on target within five minutes, as the home crowd's rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone had barely settled. 

In quick succession, Alexander Isak offered Liverpool's first warning at the other end, before forcing Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno into a save.

Van Dijk was called into an immediate response, stretching to intercept after a loose pass from Kostas Tsimikas invited Fulham straight back at Liverpool's back line. 

Fulham kept pushing, and moments later Jeremy Jacquet was forced to clear off the line as the visitors crowded Alisson's box, the goalkeeper having been drawn out of position in the scramble. 

Josh King was at the heart of most of what Fulham did well, drifting infield to link the plays, while Bradley Barcola went the other way, rarely seen and noticeable in play.

Iraola made his move at half-time, sending on Milos Kerkez for Tsimikas, before following it with a double change just past the hour, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo replacing Ryan Gravenberch and Victor Muñoz. 

The substitutions found an instant rhythm, Mac Allister combining with Isak before dragging a save out of Leno from distance.

Shortly after came a frantic play and attempt from Liverpool to secure three points. 

Fulham's own triple change, Rodrigo Muniz, Hugo Larsson and Emile Smith Rowe on for Gonzalo García, Alex Iwobi and King, steadied things at the other end.

By the time the game entered its final quarter, the goalless scoreline had done little to energise the crowd.

Whilst it wasn't the Anfield roar a winning goal would have brought, the backing held all the same in the closing stages.

There was a growing sense of urgency, with both teams refusing to accept that a point was all they’d get. 

Neither side could find a winner, and Alisson didn't hide from the shortcomings after the final whistle. 

Liverpool's goalkeeper, after the full-time whistle, said: "Collectively, we didn't play well. Many things we tried to do, we couldn't do it well.” 

He added: “We couldn't press them well … we have to improve for the next one," the goalkeeper admitted, pointing to the quick turnaround as a factor.

For Fulham, though, the point carries far more weight. It's their first of the season, lifting them off the bottom and up to 17th in the table. 

For Iriola's men, next up they host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Tuesday in the EFL Cup.

Liverpool subs: Off Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch, Victor Muñoz, Ronald Araújo, Bradley Barcola 

On: Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Jeremie Frimpong, Rio Ngumoha

Fulham subs off: Timothy Castagne, Oscar Bobb, Gonzalo García, Alex Iwobi, Josh King 

On: Kenny Tete, Kevin, Rodrigo Muniz, Hugo Larsson, Emile Smith Rowe