· 2 min readIn this Liverpool vs Fulham match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
Liverpool and Fulham came into this game with poor starts to the season. Iraola’s Liverpool were coming off a win against Atlético Madrid, while Arbeloa’s Fulham had shown good ideas, but lost all three of their Premier League games.
And there was something they had in common: a lot of work ahead. Both teams have recent projects, concede too many goals and still need to gain defensive security. Both had something to prove.
Fulham lined up in a 4-4-2 and started without fear. In the 8th minute, Tsimikas won the ball high up the pitch and Barcola found Isak with a run in behind. The Swede was left with little angle, shot and the ball went just past the far post.
But Fulham responded with a huge chance. In the 11th minute, Alisson made a ridiculous mistake with the ball at his feet and left it inside his own box. Gonzalo García picked up the ball, moved to the right and shot with Alisson out of goal. Jacquet cleared it literally on the line and prevented the 0-1.
Shortly after, Oscar Bobb received an excellent low ball on the edge of the box, but decided to control it instead of shooting first-time and controlled it badly. Fulham were showing positive signs down the left.
Liverpool had more possession, reaching 68%, but were not dominating. Leno still had to make a good save from Víctor Muñoz from a corner, but Fulham started to have more and more of the ball. In the final ten minutes of the first half, they even went above 70% possession. The game was balanced.
Defensively, Liverpool continued to raise doubts. When the ball reached the area around their box, there was too much passivity. At half-time, they had 53% possession, but just 0.38 expected goals, compared to Fulham’s 0.48.
In the second half, Liverpool continued to struggle. In the 52nd minute, Isak carried a counter-attack, produced a good dribble and shot weakly for Leno to save. Wirtz was also not good with the more difficult passes.
In the 65th minute, the game continued without a clear-cut chance and Liverpool, playing at home, did not look close to winning. Fulham were defending well. Szoboszlai shot shortly afterwards, but Leno saved.
Liverpool gradually improved, but there was always something missing. Fulham still had a dangerous transition in the 76th minute, with Joshua King carrying the ball, moving to the side and shooting, but he slipped and Alisson saved.
Arbeloa brought on three attacking players and Fulham continued to look for the counter-attack. The chances were few: 0.24 expected goals for Liverpool and 0.25 for Fulham in the second half.
Just 22 years old, Shea Charles put in a very good defensive performance and gave Szoboszlai a lot of trouble. In stoppage time, Isak still headed the ball inside the six-yard box from a corner, but was completely off balance, and the ball went just past the post.
Post-match
The 0-0 is ultimately fair. Liverpool had a duty to do more at home, but Fulham defended well, had periods where they dominated with the ball and created the best chances of the first half. For Liverpool, there are still defensive doubts and a lack of efficiency in attack.
