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Fulham earn first point in goalless draw at Liverpool

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Fulham and boss Alvaro Arbeloa claimed their first Premier League point of the season after holding Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield.

Less than 72 hours after Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, Andoni Iraola’s side lacked the intensity they showed midweek and failed to score for the first time this season.

BBC reports that Arbeloa came into the match under pressure, with Fulham having lost their opening three league games since he took charge in the summer.

But the Cottagers put in a disciplined away performance and could have taken all three points had they been more clinical.

Iraola made three changes from the Champions League win, with Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch and Victor Munoz starting in place of Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rio Ngumoha.

Arbeloa, who played 98 games for Liverpool between 2007 and 2009, also made two changes. Austrian centre-back David Affengruber made his debut in place of Joachim Andersen, while Sander Berge replaced Cesar Palacios.

Fulham should have led early when Jeremy Jacquet cleared Gonzalo Garcia’s effort off the line after a mix-up between Alisson and Gravenberch.

Read More: Liverpool survive Atletico Madrid scare as team gets off to 2-1 win in Champions League start

The visitors were the better side in the first half. Josh King’s shot from inside the box was saved by Alisson, before Antonee Robinson headed wide.

At the other end, Munoz’s header was kept out by Bernd Leno, and Bradley Barcola’s volley was deflected behind by Timothy Castagne.

Iraola reacted at half-time, bringing on Kerkez for Tsimikas. By the hour mark Gravenberch and Munoz were also replaced by Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo as Liverpool searched for momentum.

Alexander Isak forced a comfortable save from Leno, while Leno also denied a powerful strike from Dominik Szoboszlai.

Further changes came in the 72nd minute as Ngumoha and Jeremie Frimpong entered, but Liverpool still could not break through.

Isak headed wide from an injury-time corner and Fulham held on. Late Fulham chances for King and Kevin were also not converted.

The point lifts some pressure off Arbeloa, while Liverpool will be frustrated to drop points at home after their European exertions.

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