Alvaro Arbeloa returned to Anfield and frustrated Liverpool with his Fulham team taking points off the Reds in a goalless draw in the Pemier League this weekend
Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has reacted to Saturday's game
Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has reacted to Saturday's game(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa was delighted to see his side pick up a first Premier League point of the new season, with the Cottagers holding Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield.
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were successfully frustrated by Arbeloa's players, who could easily have won the game themselves with the chances they created in the first half.
After the break, Liverpool was more defensively stable, but failed to find a breakthrough, dropping more points under Andoni Iraola after three draws and one win in his opening four league games at the helm.
"We knew how difficult this stadium is," Arbeloa said in his post-match press conference.
"The team that we have in front of us, with top players, top coaches, against a team that I think they are the team that press more high than [any other team] in the Premier League.
"I'm happy with the point but more with the performance of my players and the way that they play with the character, the personality, the ambition that they played and they showed here in this stadium.
"I know that everything in football is about points. It's about the points that you get. It's not about what you deserve.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola was held to a goalless draw on Saturday
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola was held to a goalless draw on Saturday(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
"I think we deserved more against Chelsea, against Crystal Palace, but we didn't. And after the Crystal Palace game, I think my players realized how important it is to attack the goal but also to defend when you lose the ball and control the transition and we were more balanced today.
"We defended so well and with the ball as well as we did in the other games. I think this is the way we could score one or two goals. We were a little bit unlucky but if we continue playing in this way, I think we will win games."
Arbeloa was returning to Anfield as a manager for the first time, after playing 98 games for Liverpool between 2007 and 2009. "I came here when I was a player with Real Madrid and we won," the Spaniard added.
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"Today was a little bit different as a coach, and difficult also. Of course, I spent here almost three years and some of my best years as a footballer here. A fantastic time, and I am so grateful to Liverpool Football Club and the opportunity that they gave me 20 years ago.
"If I am here, it's because one day I came here and Rafa [Benitez] — and I think he was watching the game — gave me also the opportunity.
"So I am here because one day I was a Liverpool player so I wish them all the best."