Liverpool return to Anfield fresh off the back of Champions League heroics, hoping for their first home win of the Premier League season against Fulham.
Liverpool vs. Fulham
Premier League (4) | Anfield
September 12, 2026 | 3pm (BST)
Andoni Iraola is looking for his first Anfield league victory as Liverpool boss, but still remains undefeated in charge of the Reds.
Draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, and victory on the road against Ipswich, sees Liverpool sitting on five points heading into this one.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Saturday 3pm clash.
Are Fulham the perfect opponents?
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)
As far as timing goes in football, this is ideal. Fulham, under new manager and former Red Alvaro Arbeloa, are rock-bottom of the table along with Coventry.
It’s been a poor start for the Cottagers, who still look very far from at ease with what the boss is asking them to do.
Three straight defeats to Chelsea, Sunderland and Crystal Palace have cranked the pressure up from the off.
For Liverpool, you could say it’s ideal. The positive glimmers that emerged in the first two matches of the season really popped in unison when the Reds headed to Ipswich.
A convincing victory at Portman Road was then backed up with a commanding win over Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool team news: Araujo set to remain at full-back
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araújo during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araújo during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Iraola gave due praise to the resounding form of loanee Ronald Araujo, who is rapidly winning over the Kop with his stellar performances at right-back.
He is expected to keep his place against Fulham.
It remains to be seen whether Cody Gakpo will be in line for an immediate return, but Bradley Barcola is set to play a role once more after his withdrawal against Atletico was confirmed to be only a case of cramp.
Joe Gomez could be back in the squad, while Wataru Endo returns to availability, but Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa remain out.
Liverpool’s predicted XI: Munoz in for Barcola?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz celebrates scoring his side's second equalising goal to level the score at 2-2 during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz celebrates scoring his side's second equalising goal to level the score at 2-2 during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Propaganda)
It’s possible the front line which started against Atletico Madrid will be retained against Fulham, with youngster Rio Ngumoha earning his shot at remaining in the first XI.
However, starting both Ngumoha and Victor Munoz on the flanks and switching both out in the latter stages for Barcola and Gakpo – if fit – feels like the most sensible call at this early stage of the season.
Midfield duo Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are poised to start again together as Iraola searches for stability within his matchday squad.
Jeremie Frimpong is set for another stint on the bench with Araujo blossoming in the right-back position.
Predicted XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Munoz, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Isak
How has Fulham’s season started?
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.
It couldn’t have been worse, though the feeling in west London was always one of concern ahead of Arbeloa’s arrival.
Footage of the former Liverpool man circulated in pre-season, showing his barking of commands during his first week in charge at Fulham falling on deaf ears.
Despite losing to Chelsea and Palace, the Cottagers are finding the back of the net – putting away four goals during these two encounters yet still emerging on the losing side.
In the narrow 1-0 defeat away to Sunderland, only a 75th-minute strike was the difference between the two sides.
Liverpool enter the match as overwhelming favourites but any complacency could seriously cost the Reds.
Fulham team news
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha is challenged by Fulham's Sander Berge (R) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha is challenged by Fulham's Sander Berge (R) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Cottagers are expected to be largely unchanged, with new boy Gonzalo Garcia leading the line.
Josh King and Caesar Palacios were each creative outlets in the recent 3-2 defeat to Palace, and are expected to start behind the main striker.
Sander Berge is tipped to return to the starting XI in order to add physicality for the Anfield visit.
Tom Cairney is the only injury absentee at present.
Predicted Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Bobb, King, Palacios; Garcia
Andoni Iraola set to hand chances to Lewis Koumas
He’ll be turning 21 next week and this youngster has seriously impressed the new boss, who is planning to use him regularly this season.
Speaking in his press conference Iraola said:
“The first week I was here I already told the club that he was staying all the season. I had very few doubts
“He is someone who covers us on the No. 7, No. 9, No. 10, No. 11. He trains very well, good attitude, good player, scores goals.
“He needs to add more things obviously, like every young player, but he already has a good amount of experience playing in the Championship at a high level.
“I see him ready to help us. I like what he gives us.”
Did you know?
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool are among the goals this season and could register an unusual record.
If the Reds score exactly twice in this match, it will be the first time in their history that they have done so in each of the opening four league fixtures of a campaign.
There is also a bit of a bad omen for Arbeloa on his Anfield return.
Ex-Reds have lost all five of their managerial meetings with them in Premier League: Paul Ince (with Blackburn in December 2008), Mauricio Pellegrino (twice with Southampton in 2017/18) and Steven Gerrard (twice with Aston Villa in 2021/22).
Who is the referee for Liverpool vs. Fulham?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 19, 2023: Referee Thomas Bramall during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 19, 2023: Referee Thomas Bramall during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Tom Bramall will referee the 3pm kickoff at Anfield, assisted by Gary Beswick and Craig Taylor.
David Webb is the fourth official.
Tony Harrington will be on VAR duty, assisted by Stuart Burt.
Follow the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Fulham won’t be broadcast live in the UK, being a Saturday 3pm fixture.
A full list of international coverage options can be found here.
You can follow all the action live with This Is Anfield as Joanna Durkan provides regular updates throughout the match from 2.15pm.