Liverpool rescue a degree at Fulham, however might be left enjoying catch-up
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LONDON — Fulham confirmed they do not need to be within the Premier League simply to make up the numbers once more as they got here near beating Liverpool at Craven Cottage, with the sport ending as a 2-2 draw..
– Report: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool | Premier League table | Next Prem fixtures
Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored 43 targets within the Championship final season, confirmed that on the age of 27 he would possibly lastly be prepared for the Premier League. After heading residence the primary aim, he then received and transformed a penalty to ensure the house aspect collected a degree.
Liverpool needed to depend on the previous and the brand new, as Darwin Nunez scored their first equaliser and Mohamed Salah netted the second — and so they assisted one another’s targets.
Speedy Response
Liverpool danger dropping early floor
It feels virtually absurd to counsel this on the opening day of the season, however such are the requirements Liverpool and Manchester City have set in current occasions that dropping two factors at Fulham represents an early blow within the title race.
Jurgen Klopp’s aspect misplaced solely two video games within the league final season and had been twice behind at Craven Cottage, displaying admirable tenacity to struggle again.
Metropolis have a tough-looking opener at West Ham United on Sunday however they now have an opportunity to determine an early benefit over their closest rivals. Liverpool spent a lot of final season chasing Metropolis — the very last thing they need is that very same feeling early within the new marketing campaign.
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Nunez cameo excites … however damage issues deepen
Nunez marked his Premier League debut with a aim and an help to salvage a degree and carry a Liverpool show that was badly missing inspiration previous to his 59th-minute introduction.
Each had been fortuitous: his aim, simply 5 minutes after approaching, got here as he tried an improvised flick just for Tosin Adarabioyo to show the ball onto Nunez with the ricochet flying previous Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak. The 23-year-old’s help for Salah’s equaliser got here as he tried to gather Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ahead cross solely to the touch the ball into the Egyptian’s path for a tap-in. However each moments had been merchandise of his motion and power. it could actually solely be a matter of time earlier than he begins.
Klopp was involved about Liverpool’s damage issues earlier than kick-off — Caoimhin Kelleher, Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kostas Tsimikas and Curtis Jones are all unavailable — and Thiago Alcantara might now be added to that listing. The midfielder limped off six minutes into the second half with what gave the impression to be a hamstring downside.
Alexander-Arnold caught out once more
There isn’t a doubting Alexander-Arnold is likely one of the finest full-backs on this planet with the ball at his ft however these nagging doubts about his defensive capability will persist after being caught out for Fulham’s opening aim.
Kenny Tete’s cross was very good however Alexander-Arnold was not alive to the hazard on the again publish as Mitrovic squeezed a header previous Alisson.
Liverpool completed final season by dropping the Champions League closing to a Actual Madrid aim which owed a lot to a different lapse in focus from Alexander-Arnold. It’s a lesson he must study in any other case additional injury will probably be inflicted.
Participant rankings
Fulham: Rodak 7, Tete 8, Adarabioyo 7, Ream 8, Robinson 7, Reed 8, Palhinha 7, Reid 7, Pereira 8, Kebano 8, Mitrovic 9.
Subs: Solomon 6, Cairney 6, Duffy 6.
Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 6, Matip 6, van Dijk 6, Robertson 7, Henderson 6, Fabinho 6, Thiago 6, Salah 7, Firmino 5, Diaz 6.
Subs: Elliott 7, Nunez 8, Milner 6, Carvalho 6.
Up subsequent
Fulham: The Cottagers will probably be on the street subsequent Saturday once they head north to tackle Wolverhampton Wanderers, then it is the large native derby in opposition to Brentford at Craven Cottage on Saturday, Aug. 20.
Liverpool: There is a behind-closed-doors pleasant on Sunday in opposition to Aston Villa, with Liverpool subsequent in aggressive motion on consecutive Mondays, in opposition to Crystal Palace at Anfield on Monday, Aug. 15 and a visit to Manchester United on Aug. 22.
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