Alvaro Arbeloa guided his side to a goalless draw at the home of his former club Liverpool
Alvaro Arbeloa hugs Andoni Iraola (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alvaro Arbeloa hugs Andoni Iraola (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Alvaro Arbeloa has shared his pride after his Fulham side gained the first Premier League point of his reign against his former club, Liverpool. The Spaniard has suffered defeat in each of his first three league games in charge of the Cottagers ahead of his return to Anfield.
But his Fulham side frustrated the Reds throughout as the two sides fought out a 0-0 draw, with Liverpool limited to just three shots on target.
Well-aware of just how difficult an opponent Andoni Iraola’s side can be, Arbeloa was delighted with his own side’s showing as he praised his players for the manner of their performance.
“We knew how difficult this stadium is,” he said. “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.
“I think we deserved more against Chelsea, against Crystal Palace, but we didn't. And after the Crystal Palace game, I think my players realised 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."
He continued: “When you make mistakes in the training session it's so easy because you are not punished. When you make a mistake here, that's the problem.
“But I want that my players show this character, that they want the ball, they want the ball under pressure and they can play and we know what we have to do, how we can beat the pressure of Liverpool and we did so, so well against a team that press so high and so well.
“We know how good is Andoni and his team's pressing and I am so happy and so proud of the way that we played today.
“Against a team like Liverpool, they have players who are so, so quick and their transitions are so good. I think we did so well and with the ball also. I'm very happy.
“We need to continue to play in the same way. For me, we have not been so lucky in the first four games. We knew how difficult it was going to be this first month but I'm so proud of my players.”
Arbeloa joined Liverpool as a player nearly 20 years ago in January 2007 and made 98 appearances for the Reds during two and a half seasons at the club.
Returning to Anfield, he shared just how much his time at Liverpool meant to him as he wished his former club well for the rest of the season.
“I came here when I was a player with Real Madrid,” he said. “We won and today was a little bit different as a coach and difficult also.
“Of course I spent almost three years here and some of my best years as a footballer here.
“Fantastic time and I am so grateful to Liverpool Football Club and the opportunity that they gave me 20 years ago and if I am here it's because one day I came here.
“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.”