Liverpool return to Premier League action fresh from a first Champions League win of the Andoni Iraola era – although another one in which they had to come from behind.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister scored to seal a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night, with the Argentine doing his talking on the pitch with a superb winner after revealing his sadness at not yet yet being offered a new contract.
The Reds have now come from behind in three of their four games in all competitions this season and will be hoping for a more serene performance against struggling Fulham, who sit 19th and pointless after three games played.
It has been a turbulent start to Alvaro Arbeloa’s tenure, with the former Liverpool defender returning to Anfield. The Cottagers have been entertaining to watch going forward but leaky at the back, conceding seven goals in only three top-flight games so far.
Follow latest updates from Anfield below:
Big day of Premier League action
We’ve got a hefty seven Premier League games to sink our teeth into today – here are the other six:
- Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest (3pm)
- Bournemouth v Brentford (3pm)
- Chelsea v Hull (3pm)
- Crystal Palace v Ipswich (3pm)
- Tottenham v Everton (5:30pm)
- Sunderland v Arsenal (8pm)
Will Castle12 September 2026 14:14
Liverpool have stumbled across a solution to one of Andoni Iraola’s big problems
As Liverpool adjust to life without Mohamed Salah, they looked to a summer signing on the right flank to provide flair and goals. And so one did. Not Bradley Barcola, though Andoni Iraola was encouraged the £123m arrival got into the positions to miss chances on his first start.
But Ronald Araujo, whose backheel set up Dominik Szoboszlai’s equaliser against Atletico Madrid. “You have to ask him if he meant it,” said the Hungarian of the improvised assist. “It’s the beauty of football, isn’t it?” smiled Virgil van Dijk. “He did very well there and I think that is an understatement: he did amazing before the goal.” All the more so because he, by trade and training, is less likely to appear in the opposition’s penalty box in open play. “Ronald is playing right-back, which is not his position,” added Szoboszlai.
Liverpool have stumbled across a solution to one of Andoni Iraola’s big problems
Ronald Araujo’s impressive start to life at Anfield suggests Liverpool’s new makeshift right-back can bring added steel in defence as well as a surprising threat in attackRichard Jolly12 September 2026 14:07
Fulham arrive at Anfield
Will Castle12 September 2026 14:03
A rift at Fulham?
Things aren’t all sunshine and roses over at Craven Cottage at the moment.
Pointless after three games, there have been reports of unrest at Fulham under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, stoked by first-team stars Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe removing all club content from their social media. Kevin, meanwhile, took to Instagram after being an unused substitute against Crystal Palace last weekend, posting a story with the caption “no speak, no hear, no see”.
Arbeloa, who was last in charge of Real Madrid, took the opportunity to bring three players from the Spanish giants’ academy with him to west London, with Gonzalo Garcia, Cesar Palacios and Manuel Angel all arriving.
But despite speculation of a rift, Arbeloa says the mood around Fulham is “positive” as they look to turn results 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,” he said.
“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. 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.”
Alvaro Arbeloa denies Fulham rift after cryptic social media behaviour
Fulham have lost their first three games of the new season but Arbeloa said the mood is ‘positive’ ahead of the trip to Liverpool Will Castle12 September 2026 14:00
Confirmed Fulham line-up
David Affengruber is handed his Fulham debut by Alvaro Arbeloa in defence following last weekend’s home loss to Crystal Palace, as Joachim Andersen is dropped to the bench.
Sander Berge is back in the starting XI while Cesar Palacios, a goalscorer against Palace, is on the bench. Alex Iwobi looks to have moved into left midfield from a more holding role.
Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charle; Bobb, King, Iwobi; Gonzalo.
Subs: Lecomte, Tete, Andersen, Larsson, Manuel Angel, Smith Rowe, Palacios, Kevin, Muniz.
Will Castle12 September 2026 13:48
Confirmed Liverpool line-up
Bradley Barcola is deemed fit to start while Cody Gakpo can only make the bench after experiencing an adductor issue against Ipswich last week. Victor Munoz comes in on the left.
Ronald Araujo keeps his place at right-back while Kostas Tsimikas comes in for Milos Kerkez on the left side of defence after the Hungarian, like Barcola, came off against Atletico Madrid with cramp.
Alexis Mac Allister, the match-winner in midweek, is also dropped to the bench, with Rio Ngumoha also losing his starting place.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Barcola, Wirtz, Munoz; Isak.
Subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Frimpong, Nyoni, Koumas, Ngumoha.
Will Castle12 September 2026 13:47
Team news coming up with Barcola and Gakpo facing late fitness calls
We’ll be bringing you confirmed team news in about five minutes’ time, and Liverpool fans will no doubt be refreshing their feeds intensely to see whether two players in particular are included.
Cody Gakpo, who was close to leaving Liverpool in the summer but has started the season in excellent form, is a doubt coming into the weekend after missing Wednesday’s Champions League win over Atletico due to “adductor issues”. He complained about discomfort on both sides following the win at Ipswich last Friday.
The Dutchman’s absence meant Barcola made his first start for Liverpool since his big-money move from Paris Saint-Germain and the winger impressed with a bright showing before he was removed late in the match, sparking fears of a setback early into his Liverpool tenure.
However, Andoni Iraola allayed worries of a serious problem and said that the Frenchman only suffered cramps, with Liverpool assessing both players after training yesterday.
Iraola said: “Barcola was just cramps. We have to evaluate how he is today, but there is no injury. I think he should be available if everything goes normal.
“Cody we will see. We will try today and see if he is ready for tomorrow or if we need to wait until the next one.”
Fulham, meanwhile, are only without Tom Cairney and Alvaro Arbeloa could hand debuts to Manuel Angel and David Affengruber.
Will Castle12 September 2026 13:40
When is Liverpool vs Fulham?
Liverpool’s clash with Fulham kicks off at 3pm BST today at Anfield.
It is not being televised in the UK due to it falling during the “blackout” period.
Will Castle12 September 2026 13:35
Liverpool vs Fulham LIVE!
Liverpool return to Premier League action fresh from a first Champions League win of the Andoni Iraola era – although another one in which they had to come from behind.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister scored to seal a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night, with the Argentine doing his talking on the pitch with a superb winner after revealing his sadness at not yet yet being offered a new contract.
The Reds have now come from behind in three of their four games in all competitions this season and will be hoping for a more serene performance against struggling Fulham, who sit 19th and pointless after three games played.
It has been a turbulent start to Alvaro Arbeloa’s tenure, with the former Liverpool defender returning to Anfield. The Cottagers have been entertaining to watch going forward but leaky at the back, conceding seven goals in only three top-flight games so far.
Will Castle12 September 2026 13:30
Good afternoon
Hello there and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Liverpool’s clash with Fulham in the Premier League.
Stay tuned for all the latest team news, build-up and match action from Anfield.
Will Castle12 September 2026 12:00