Liverpool 0-0 Fulham — Liverpool were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Fulham at Anfield, a result that leaves the Reds reflecting on two dropped points in the Premier League title race while the Cottagers celebrated a disciplined, resilient away performance.

A night of pressure without a breakthrough

Under the Anfield lights, Liverpool dominated the ball from the first whistle, pushing Fulham deep into their own half and pinning the visitors back with wave after wave of attacking play. Yet for all their territorial control, the hosts could not find the one moment of quality required to break down a compact and well-organised Fulham side.

Fulham arrived with a clear plan: defend the central corridors, force Liverpool wide, and strike on the counter through the pace of Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe. It was a blueprint that required concentration and discipline for the full 90 minutes, and Marco Silva's players delivered it almost flawlessly.

Match overview

Liverpool finished the evening with the lion's share of possession and a heavy advantage in shots, but the scoreline told the story of a night when the final pass or the final touch was always missing. Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno was the busiest player on the pitch and produced a string of saves that ultimately earned his side a hard-fought point.

• Possession: Liverpool 68% – Fulham 32%
• Shots: Liverpool 21 – Fulham 5
• Shots on target: Liverpool 7 – Fulham 1
• Corners: Liverpool 11 – Fulham 2

Key moments

Liverpool's best chance of the first half arrived inside the opening quarter of an hour. Dominik Szoboszlai met a cut-back from the right and struck a low effort toward the near post, only for Leno to get down smartly and push the ball away. Minutes later, Virgil van Dijk rose highest from a corner and looked certain to score, but Tosin Adarabioyo cleared off the line with the goalkeeper beaten.

Fulham's clearest opening came against the run of play. Rodrigo Muniz latched onto a quick turnover and drove into the box, but his angled shot flashed wide of Alisson's far post. It was a warning that the visitors were far from passive.

The second half brought the game's most controversial moment. Mohamed Salah found the net after a sweeping Liverpool move, but the celebrations were cut short when the assistant referee raised the flag. After a check, the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up, and Anfield's frustration grew.

Leno then produced the save of the match in the 74th minute, denying Cody Gakpo with his legs before reacting instinctively to block the follow-up from Florian Wirtz. It was a double stop that summed up Fulham's evening: organised, alert and stubborn.

Tactical story

Liverpool lined up in a 4-3-3 with their full-backs pushing high to stretch Fulham's midfield. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister recycled possession effectively, but the visitors' midfield duo of Sander Berge and Saša Lukić screened the back four intelligently, denying space between the lines. Fulham's wingers dropped deep without the ball, effectively forming a six-man defensive block at times.

Silva's side were happy to concede possession in wide areas and defend crosses, trusting Bassing and Andersen to deal with aerial deliveries. When Fulham did win the ball, they looked to release Iwobi and Smith Rowe immediately, turning defence into attack in two or three passes. They lacked the final product, but the approach kept Liverpool honest throughout.

Standout players

Bernd Leno (Fulham) was the clear man of the match, combining sharp shot-stopping with confident handling under pressure. Virgil van Dijk was Liverpool's most composed performer, stepping into midfield to start attacks and winning nearly every aerial duel. Ryan Gravenberch covered ground tirelessly in the middle, while Antonee Robinson delivered a disciplined defensive display against Salah, limiting the Egyptian's space in one-on-one situations.

What it means for the table

For Liverpool, the draw is a missed opportunity to apply pressure at the top of the Premier League standings. Dropped points at home can prove costly over the course of a long season, and the Reds will be eager to rediscover their cutting edge in the final third. For Fulham, the result extends their reputation as one of the league's most awkward away opponents. A point at Anfield, built on defensive discipline and a standout goalkeeping performance, is a valuable addition to their campaign. Fulham's last league victory at Anfield remains a distant memory, but this display showed they are capable of frustrating the elite.