Alvaro Arbeloa has expressed his pride after Fulham secured the first Premier League point of his reign with a goalless draw against his former club Liverpool at Anfield.

The Spaniard had suffered defeats in each of his first three league games in charge of the Cottagers, but his side produced a disciplined performance to frustrate Liverpool and leave Anfield with a valuable point.

Liverpool managed just three shots on target throughout the 0-0 draw as Fulham remained resolute at the back and showed plenty of character under pressure.

Arbeloa, who knows exactly how difficult it can be to face a Liverpool side at Anfield, was delighted with his players’ performance and praised their character and ambition.

“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.”

Arbeloa also believes Fulham could have taken all three points from Anfield, particularly given the way they handled Liverpool’s pressing and transition play.

“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.”

The Fulham boss was particularly pleased with the way his players were willing to take responsibility in possession despite Liverpool’s intense pressure.

“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.”

Arbeloa also praised Liverpool and their manager, highlighting the quality of their pressing and the threat posed by their pace in transition.

“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 reflects on Liverpool return

The result was made even more significant for Arbeloa given his history with Liverpool.

He joined the Reds from Real Madrid in January 2007 and went on to make 98 appearances for the club during two and a half seasons at Anfield.

Returning to his former home as a manager was understandably an emotional occasion for the Spaniard, who reflected on the importance of his time on Merseyside and expressed his gratitude to the club.

“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.”

For Arbeloa, the draw represented more than just his first Premier League point as Fulham boss. It was also a sign that his team are beginning to respond to his demands after a difficult start to his tenure.

Fulham will now hope to build on the performance at Anfield, while Arbeloa will be encouraged by the resilience and personality his players showed against one of the league’s most intense pressing sides.