Liverpool Seek First League Win Under Iraola Against Fulham

Andoni Iraola has steadied Liverpool’s rhythm. Now he needs a Premier League win to go with the performances.

Anfield hosts Fulham on Saturday with the home side still searching for a first league victory under their new head coach, despite an attacking return that suggests the breakthrough is close. Liverpool have scored at least twice in every top-flight game so far, yet draws have stalled early momentum.

In Europe, though, they have already found a cutting edge. A midweek Champions League win over Atletico Madrid has sharpened belief that the pieces are starting to fit under Iraola.

Fulham arrive with no points but plenty of warning signs for anyone tempted to underestimate them. All three of their league defeats have come by a single goal, and Iraola’s respect for the visitors was clear.

“Have been so good,” was his verdict on Fulham’s displays this season, a pointed reminder that the table is not telling the full story of their form.

Injury concerns and selection calls

Liverpool’s preparations are again coloured by an injury list that refuses to shrink.

Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike, Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa are all still out. Cody Gakpo is a doubt with an adductor problem, a concern for a side that has leaned heavily on its forward depth in the opening weeks.

Bradley Barcola and Milos Kerkez both needed treatment for cramp during the win over Atletico Madrid. The club do not expect anything more serious, but their workloads will be watched closely in the build-up to Saturday.

If neither Gakpo nor Barcola is cleared to start, Victor Munoz is ready to step in from the off. The wide forward is poised to operate on the flank, with Florian Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha also supporting Alexander Isak in an aggressive 4-2-3-1.

Isak, already central to Iraola’s plans, stands on the brink of a personal milestone. One more league goal on Saturday would take him beyond his entire Premier League tally from last season, a stark illustration of how quickly he has adapted to the new set-up.

Expected Liverpool XI

Iraola is unlikely to deviate far from the structure that handled Atletico so well. The anticipated Liverpool lineup, in a 4-2-3-1, is:

Alisson; Ronald Araujo, Jean-Clair Todibo Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas; Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai; Victor Munoz, Florian Wirtz, Rio Ngumoha; Alexander Isak.

Control at the back, tempo from the double pivot, invention between the lines, and a striker in form. On paper, it looks built for a side intent on turning promise into points.

Kick-off and TV details

The match kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday, 12 September 2026, at Anfield.

For fans in the UK, the traditional Saturday 3pm blackout means Liverpool vs Fulham will not be shown live on television. Those inside the stadium will live every moment; everyone else will be following updates and highlights, waiting to see whether Iraola’s Liverpool finally turn goals into a first league win of the season.

If that dam breaks this weekend, does it open the floodgates for a title push, or simply mark the end of an awkward start?