Andoni Iraola faced a challenging debut in the Premier League as Liverpool managed only a disappointing draw against Fulham on a midweek afternoon at Anfield. This match marked Fulham's first point of the season, while Iraola's squad struggled to create chances, leading to their first failure to score under his management.

• Fulham's manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, expressed satisfaction with the point, stating, "Happy with the point and more happy with the performance. We defended so well."
• Arbeloa's bold decision to debut David Affengruber at Anfield proved fruitful as Fulham maintained a clean sheet against Liverpool's high-profile signings.

Iraola acknowledged the disjointed performance, citing a lack of creativity and stating, "What was lacking was quite clear... this is going to happen in the season and we have to adapt."

Despite making three changes to the lineup, Liverpool's squad depth appeared inadequate, as substitutions like Kostas Tsimikas were ineffective, raising concerns about their recent form. The team has drawn their first two league games at Anfield under Iraola, echoing a trend from previous management.

Fulham outperformed Liverpool in several aspects, including shots on target and ball possession, with Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia showcasing promising performances. Liverpool's sloppiness was highlighted by a near-miss incident involving Alisson, who misjudged a pass leading to a fortunate escape from conceding a penalty.

As the season progresses, Iraola faces the pressing challenge of revitalizing Liverpool's performance, particularly at home, where they have only secured four league wins in 2026.