September 11, 2026, 11:12 AM
Fulham head coach Álvaro Arbeloa has praised his players’ response in training as they prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, with the Cottagers still searching for their first Premier League point of the season. Fulham have lost each of their opening three matches, but Arbeloa insists the group’s attitude has remained positive despite the difficult start.
“I think you learn more about a group after a defeat than after a win, and they have worked with a very positive attitude this week,” Arbeloa said. “I can see how hard they are working. I feel I have a very good group with a very good attitude.”
The Spaniard has challenged the players outside his starting XI to use their frustration constructively. Arbeloa said he expects those not playing to be unhappy with their situation, but wants that feeling to become productive competition on the training ground rather than a source of division.
“When you are a player and you are not playing, you cannot be happy,” he said. “I expect that feeling from my players that are not playing. I want them to show me they are not happy in training. For me, this is the most important thing.”
Fulham’s early problems have included defensive errors at important moments. They lost 3–2 to Chelsea in their opening game, were beaten 1–0 at Sunderland, and then surrendered a 2–1 lead to lose 3–2 against Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage. The Palace defeat brought boos from sections of the home support, with Fulham conceding seven league goals across their opening three fixtures.
Arbeloa has acknowledged that his side must improve defensively, particularly after losing possession. He said Fulham’s priority is not simply how they attack, but how they react when they lose the ball and how effectively they control opposition transitions.
“Our first thought on the ball should not be about what we are going to do to score,” Arbeloa said. “It should be about what we are going to do when we lose the ball. We need to control the transition. That is very clear to me.”
The Fulham manager has also appealed for supporters to remain behind the team. While he understands the frustration after three defeats, he believes the squad will be stronger with the backing of Craven Cottage’s fans as it attempts to reverse its early-season form.
“We are a very strong team when our fans are behind us,” Arbeloa said. “They want to see us win games—we know that—but we are stronger with them behind us.”
Arbeloa insisted he is focused on Fulham’s long-term development rather than allowing the opening three results to define his tenure.
“I have not just come here for three games or a month in charge,” he said. “I have come here because I wanted to improve this team. That is where my energy goes.”
Liverpool present an imposing test, with Alexander Isak scoring three goals in his first two league appearances for the Reds. Fulham, however, will travel to Anfield seeking a response that can provide both their first points of the season and evidence that Arbeloa’s calls for resilience are taking hold.
