Alvaro Arbeloa marked his return to Anfield with his first point for Fulham as they held Liverpool to a goalless draw.

Though they came into this match with three defeats from their opening three matches, Fulham produced a resolute defensive performance against the Reds.

Following wins over Ipswich Town and Atletico Madrid, Andoni Iraola's side severely lacked attacking thrust, despite Bradley Barcola making his first Premier League start.

A Victor Munoz header midway through the first half – which looked on track to hit the crossbar before goalkeeper Bernd Leno intervened – was as close as they came to a breakthrough, as the Reds failed to score for the first time since January.

Liverpool could even have lost the game as Gonzalo Garcia and Josh King went close for Fulham.

How the match unfolded

Barcola was quiet for much of the contest, but he was involved early on as he slipped Alexander Isak into the left side of the area, only for the Swede's shot to fade wide.

Fulham almost caught Liverpool out at the other end, though, as Alisson's pass put Ryan Gravenberch under pressure from Sander Berge, with Garcia's shot then cleared off the line by Jeremy Jacquet.

Leno got a hand to Munoz's header and Florian Wirtz had two wayward attempts, while King was a constant menace for Fulham, with the teenager involved in a slick move that ended with Antonee Robinson heading wide.

Liverpool's first opening of the second half saw Isak show quick feet on the edge of the area, though his eventual shot was a tame one.

Iraola introduced Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister from the bench, and the latter saw a 20-yard snapshot beaten away by Leno, though the hosts were never really in control as Calvin Bassey headed straight at Alisson from a corner.

Another enterprising run and shot from King almost resulted in Fulham snatching victory, but he was slightly off balance as he made contact and Alisson palmed the attempt away from the top-left corner.

Liverpool's last real chance was a glancing Isak header that drifted wide, and they sit sixth ahead of Iraola’s reunion with AFC Bournemouth next week. Fulham are up to 17th, with Coventry City now the only side without a point on the board. (Premier League)