Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa applauds the fans as he walks out onto the pitch ahead of the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Monday August 24, 2026.
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa applauds the fans as he walks out onto the pitch ahead of the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture date: Monday August 24, 2026.
Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has challenged everyone in his squad to keep showing him a positive attitude and help get the team back on track.
The Cottagers head to Liverpool on Saturday still looking for a first point of the new Premier League season.
The home defeat by Crystal Palace last weekend has put the spotlight firmly back on former Real Madrid interim boss Arbeloa, who took over in the summer following the departure of Marco Silva.
Brazilian winger Kevin, an unused substitute against the Eagles, added a cryptic message on his Instagram story with the caption ‘no speak, no hear, no see’.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 8, 2025: Fulham's Alex Iwobi during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Fulham FC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 8, 2025: Fulham's Alex Iwobi during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Fulham FC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe have, meanwhile, both cleared their own Instagram posts of football-related content, with some fans interpreting it as growing signs of disharmony within the Fulham camp.
Arbeloa, though, stressed all of the players were working hard to turn things around.
“You can learn more about a group after a defeat than after a win, and I saw them work during the week with a very positive attitude, all of them,” the Fulham boss said at a press conference.
“For sure when you are a player and you are not playing, you can’t be happy. It is what I expect from the players that are not playing.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 27, 2024: Real Madrid's head coach Álvaro Arbeloa during the UEFA Youth League game between Liverpool FC Under-19's and Real Madrid CF Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 27, 2024: Real Madrid's head coach Álvaro Arbeloa during the UEFA Youth League game between Liverpool FC Under-19's and Real Madrid CF Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I want that they should need to show me that they are not happy during the training session. For me, this is the most important thing.
“Obviously, when you are not winning games and you are not helping your team, I think you have more desire to play games and to help their team-mates.
“But all of them, they have been working so hard and I have a very, very good group with a very good attitude.”
Arbeloa wants Fulham to “control” Liverpool
Liverpool, England - Tuesday, March 6, 2007: Liverpool's captain Xabi Alonso celebrates with team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa at the final whistle after knocking-out current holders FC Barcelona 2-2 on aggregate during the UEFA Champions League First Knockout Round 2nd Leg at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool, England - Tuesday, March 6, 2007: Liverpool's captain Xabi Alonso celebrates with team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa at the final whistle after knocking-out current holders FC Barcelona 2-2 on aggregate during the UEFA Champions League First Knockout Round 2nd Leg at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Arbeloa knows all too well the challenge that awaits at Anfield having played 98 times for the Reds and helping them reach the 2007 Champions League final before leaving for Real Madrid.
“We have a massive game this week. We know we need to improve and we have to adjust some parts of our game, but we are focused on the game tomorrow,” said Arbeloa, who reported no fresh injury problems.
“We can score goals against any team in the Premier League, that is the thing we are doing so well, creating so many chances and are aggressive without the ball.
“When you play against a team like Liverpool, with very good players, you need to control them when you have the ball.”
Arbeloa added: “You can see that they are improving, now controlling the games better.
“I watched their Champions League game against Atletico Madrid, they did a very good game – they are so aggressive and press high.
“They are so quick up front and have a top squad. Maybe they can make some changes, but they will still start with top players.”
Football – UEFA Champions League – Liverpool FC v AtlÈtico Madrid – MD-1
Football – UEFA Champions League – Liverpool FC v AtlÈtico Madrid – MD-1
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v AS Monaco
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v AS Monaco
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike arrives before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)