Liverpool failed to go to the top of the Premier League table as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
Fulham 1-1 Liverpool
• 1-0: Bobby Reid (26′)
• 1-1: Mohamed Salah pen (79′)
As it happened →
Highlights →
Liverpool remain second in the table behind midweek’s opponents Tottenham after a tough test away to Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Bobby Reid gave the hosts a deserved half-time lead before Mohamed Salah converted from the spot a little over ten minutes from time to secure a point for the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp made a number of changes to the side that drew with Midtjylland in midweek, with Alisson returning between the sticks and the big guns restored.
Fulham made an energetic start – buoyed by their supporters – as Ivan Cavaleiro had an early attempt after getting in behind, with Alisson palming the forward’s effort behind.
The Fulham forward had another opportunity as he got through the Reds’ left side and looked to curl the ball into the corner, but Alisson read it well with a solid save.
As has been the case in recent weeks, there was more VAR concern as an excellent challenge from Fabinho was scrutinised by the remote referee. Referee Andre Marriner was advised to look at the screen in a drawn-out three-minute delay, but fortunately, the correct decision was reached.
Alisson was forced into a third good save as a superb cross-field pass by Ola Aina saw Ademola Lookman bring the ball down and cut inside before getting a driven shot on target, with the Reds’ keeper doing well to get down.
But Fulham took a deserved lead less than a minute later as the ball fell to Bobby Reid at the edge of the box after the Reds tried to push out from a corner. The winger dispatched the ball across Alisson and into the back of the net, with Liverpool in dire need to wake up.
The champions had their first half chance five minutes before the break as Sadio Mane got on the end of Curtis Jones’ lofted pass, but the Senegalese couldn’t keep his header down.
Liverpool finished the second half with much more confidence and could have equalised through Mohamed Salah this time. The Reds forward expertly received Trent Alexander-Arnold’s drilled cross but couldn’t keep his pivot-and-shot on target.
In a concerning development, Joel Matip failed to make it out on to the pitch for the second half, with Takumi Minamino coming on to replace him. Jordan Henderson slotted in alongside Fabinho at the back, with the Reds down to the bare bones in defence.
The champions were all over their opponents in the second half and had a glorious opportunity to even the scorelines as Roberto Firmino’s clever flick found Henderson running into the box, but the Reds skipper’s effort was superbly saved by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Alexander-Arnold was withdrawn with a little over 20 minutes left as Neco Williams came on to replace him. Alexander-Arnold’s decorum whilst coming off visibly annoyed Klopp, although the duo made up in the aftermath.
Liverpool were given a lifeline in the game after Gini Wijnaldum’s free-kick was adjudged to have struck a Fulham arm in the wall, with the referee instantly blowing for the penalty.
Salah stepped up to convert his sixth penalty of the season, with the Egyptian managing to squeeze the ball under Areola to make it 1-1 as the Reds went in search for a winner.
Jones nearly scored an exquisite solo goal after a superb run and shot from the edge of the box, but Areola was alert to the danger as he got down well to keep the ball out.
Liverpool pressed on for a winner in the final stages but failed to conjure up any chances as they missed the chance to go to the top of the Premier League table.
It means Liverpool have already dropped eleven points this season, in comparison to fifteen all of last year, with the Reds struggling to find any rhythm away from home.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Jones, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
LFC Globe’s MOTM: Alisson
Next Fixture: Tottenham (H) – 16 Dec, 8pm
