Liverpool dropped points in the Premier League title race on Saturday afternoon, but after coming from behind twice with only 10 men, a 2-2 draw with Fulham feels like a semi-positive result.
Arne Slot’s side played most of the game with 10 men after Andy Robertson was sent off for bringing down Harry Wilson when the former Liverpool man was through on goal. By that stage, Liverpool were already losing, Andreas Pereira’s acrobatic finish putting the high-flying Londoners 1-0 up.
The second half started with Liverpool re-energised. Cody Gakpo launched himself to head Liverpool level via Mohamed Salah’s 100th assist for the club. Even so, Fulham always looked dangerous on the counter and Rodrigo Muniz put them back in front with a quarter of an hour to go. But Slot’s team have bags of character and the returning Diogo Jota — on as a substitute — sealed a point with a late equaliser, with news that Arsenal had drawn 0-0 at home to Everton also reducing the pain of the draw.
Andy Jones analyses the key moments from a dramatic match.
Where does this draw leave Liverpool?
Given the situation Liverpool found themselves in after 17 minutes, rescuing a point was maybe the best-case scenario this afternoon.
When Muniz flicked Fulham back in front, it looked like all of that hard work would come to nothing. Yet on his return to the Liverpool side after two months out injured, Jota showed all of his calmness and composure to score when released in behind by Darwin Nunez.
After the setbacks of going 1-0 down from Pereira’s strike and then losing Robertson to a red card for a foul on Harry Wilson, it could have left Arne Slot’s side feeling sorry for themselves.
After a shaky 10 minutes after Robertson’s dismissal, Liverpool settled into the game and showed the type of commitment that should leave nobody in any doubt about their character or desire to win the Premier League.
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Why was Andy Robertson sent off?
Andy Robertson’s afternoon nearly ended after two minutes when he required treatment after being caught by Issa Diop.
Jarell Quansah was stripped and ready to replace him, but Robertson recovered and was able to continue. However, his time on the pitch didn’t last much longer.
On 17 minutes, a crossfield pass was aimed in his direction. Robertson attempted to control the ball, but his touch gave Harry Wilson, who the pass was intended for, an opportunity to win it from him.
The former Liverpool midfielder got to the ball first and Robertson fouled him. Referee Tony Harrington issued a red card without hesitation, deeming the left-back had denied a goalscoring opportunity.
The Scotland international could have no complaints. He was nearly saved by a tight VAR offside call, but Virgil van Dijk was playing Wilson onside when the pass was played, so the decision stood.
Liverpool were already a goal down after Robertson had lost Andreas Pereira at the back post. The Fulham midfielder’s acrobatic shot deflected off the defender and past Alisson from close range.
This was an afternoon to forget for the 30-year-old. He will serve a one-game ban, so he will miss the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton. With Kostas Tsimikas out injured, the Scot is the only senior left-back available to Slot. Except now, he isn’t.
(Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
How did Arne Slot react to the red card?
For the first time under Arne Slot, Liverpool were reduced to 10 men and the head coach had to adjust, while also needing at least one goal with his side already behind.
His initial tweak was to drop Ryan Gravenberch into the middle of a back three with Joe Gomez (right centre-back) and Van Dijk (left centre-back) while using Alexander-Arnold and Cody Gakpo as left and right wing-backs in a 3-4-2 system. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai operated as a midfield two, while Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz played up top.
Gakpo struggled in an unfamiliar role, which led to a slight tweak from Slot. He moved Gomez to left centre-back, reducing Gakpo’s defensive responsibilities. In a hybrid 3-4-2 system in possession and a 4-4-1 out of possession, Liverpool were much better following that change, with their narrow full-backs helping provide control. They began to put Fulham under pressure towards the end of the first half.
There was a small alteration to begin the second half, too, with Gravenberch pushing into a deep midfield role and Alexander-Arnold tucking inside when Liverpool were in possession. It added an extra man in midfield and helped add aggression to Liverpool’s attack at the start of the second half, which led to Gakpo’s equaliser.
An injury to Curtis Jones saw Slot switch again. He brought on Jarell Quansah to play as a right centre-back and that allowed Alexander-Arnold to push into the central role that Gravenberch was beginning to occupy.
Muniz’s goal led to Slot deciding to go for broke. He introduced Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota and moved to a 3-1-5 system with Gravenberch operating as a sole midfielder at times as the substitutes pushed forward. That worked, too, as it led to the equaliser.
(Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah’s century of assists
Once again, in Liverpool’s moment of need, Mohamed Salah produced a moment of magic.
With the odds stacked against Liverpool, they needed something special to break down a Fulham side who had an extra man and a goal advantage.
As he received the ball in the inside-right channel, he spotted Gakpo unmarked at the back post. It needed a cross of the highest quality to find him and that’s exactly what Salah provided.
It was his 100th assist for Liverpool in all competitions and it was up there with his best. Understandably known for his goalscoring prowess, Salah’s ability as a creator can often go under the radar.
Certainly not this season, with this his 13th assist of the campaign, equalling his tally from last season. He is only three behind his best-ever total for Liverpool, set in 2022-23.
It helped secure a point for Liverpool and it may prove to be an important moment in their title challenge.
What did Arne Slot say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for Liverpool?
Wednesday, December 18: Southampton (A), Carabao Cup quarter-final, 8pm GMT, 3pm ET
Sunday, December 22: Tottenham Hotspur (A), Premier League, 4.30pm GMT, 11.30am ET
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(Top photo: Getty Images)
