Liverpool and Fulham played to a 2-2 draw in a pulsating affair from Anfield on Saturday, with the 10-man Reds twice fighting back from a goal down to earn a point after Andy Robertson’s early red card left them shorthanded.
The Liverpool left-back got his first marching orders for a last-man foul on Harry Wilson just 16 minutes into the match, leaving the Premier League leaders in an early hole.
Twice Fulham took the lead, first thanks to Andreas Pereira before the red card and then thanks to a sensational finish from substitute Rodrigo Muniz 14 minutes from time. Both goals were assisted by American international Antonee Robinson, who added to her remarkable season with a Man of the Match performance.
However, each time, Liverpool had an answer when Arne Slot pulled all the right levers. First up was Cody Gakpo shortly after the second half resumed, the Dutchman being included in the 11th in place of a long-suffering Darwin Núñez.
Thanks to the tireless functionality of midfielders Dominic Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool stayed alive despite the men’s disadvantage. Diogo Jota came off the bench for a resounding comeback from his injury by scoring four minutes from the end of the 90 with a good finish after a pass from his compatriot Núñez.
Thanks to Arsenal’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Everton, Liverpool may not have too many regrets about the dropped points, especially given the nature of the draw itself. However, if Chelsea win at home to Brentford tomorrow, the Blues could get within two, even if Liverpool still have a game in hand.
The Sporting News followed the match between Liverpool and Fulham live, offering results updates, observations and highlights as it unfolded.
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Location: Anfield Stadium (Liverpool, England)Referee: Tony Harrington
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Starting lineups:
Liverpool (4-3-3, left): 1. Alisson (GK) – 66. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Jota, 79′), 2. Joe Gomez, 4. Virgil Van Dijk, 26. Andy Robertson (card red, 16′) – 38. Ryan Gravenberch, 8. Dominic Szoboszlai (Elliott, 79′), 17. Curtis Jones (Quansah, 70′) – 11. Mohamed Salah, 7. Luis Díaz, 18. Cody Gakpo (Núñez, 70′).
Fulham (4-2-3-1, left): 1. Bernd Leno (GK) – 2. Kenny Tete (Castagne, 54′), 31. Issa Diop, 15. Jorge Cuenca, 33. Antonee Robinson – 16 Sander Bergé, 20 years old. Saskia Lukic – 8. Harry Wilson (Traoré, 87′), 18. Andreas Pereira (Smith Rowe, 69′), 17. Alex Iwobi – 7. Raúl Jiménez (Muniz, 69′)
MORE: All the latest Liverpool news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
FULL TIME: Liverpool 2-2 Fulham
A truly exciting match ends with Liverpool taking a point at home. It is disappointing for the leaders not to take the 3 points, but after betting more than two thirds of the adjustment with one less player, they will know that it is a point won.
Both groups will feel like they may have won, so in the end a draw is a fair result.
90+6 min: Chance, Fulham! This game is electric, end-to-end stuff at the finish! Adama Traore forces a big save from Alisson, and the Brazilian’s parry falls to only a Liverpool player who can clear!
90 4 min: Opportunity, Liverpool! A HUGE BLOCK BY ANTONEE ROBINSON!The American controlled to block an open shot by Virgil van Dijk right on the penalty spot!I would have scored without the last chance!
90 2 minutes: There’s a long stop when Alex Iwobi blocks a Harvey Elliott shot in a. . . It is very dolorosa. Ayhhhh. Es understandable that it has to be raised again, but the Anfield faithful do not feel any sympathy.
Minute 88: Darwin Núñez receives a yellow card for an overdue foul on Sasa Lukic, which seems harsh because they gave him the ball and then his foot bounced off Lukic’s ankle.
A whopping NINE minutes of stoppage time are shown.
Minute 86: GOAL! Diogo Jota is BACK and scores a great draw for the hosts!He won a vertical pass from Darwin Nunez and put Fulham defender Jorge Cuenca in a blender before completing in front of Bernd Leno, who only had to guess which one to dive and made a mistake.
After the goal, Marco Silva Adama Traoré enters the area to update Harry Wilson.
VIDEO: Watch Liverpool’s goal in the United States | See in Canada
83rd min: Liverpool have an attacking third free-kick as Sander Berge is booked for hauling down Darwin Nunez after the Uruguayan picked his pocket in the Fulham defensive third. He had to make the challenge after having given the ball away in a very dangerous area.
The delivery comes to nothing as a header from Núñez goes wide of the post.
Minute 82: Good luck, Liverpool! Former Fulham player Harvey Elliott sends a grounder just inches from the most sensible left corner!
76th min: GOAL! FULHAM! YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME RODRIGO MUNIZ! THAT’S A TRULY RIDICULOUS GOAL!
He returns from Antonee Robinson on the left edge of the box, and his cutback near the post produces a body weight between Muniz, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and defender Joe Gomez. Somehow, incredibly, Muniz produces a really amazing rainbow to throw the ball into the goal!What an incredible final!!
Alisson is injured on the turf in the aftermath, and needs attention, appearing to require a concussion test as he has a bit of a shiner on his right cheek. He’s ok in the end. Arne Slot still makes a double change to bring on Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota.
VIDEO: Watch Fulham’s goal in the United States | View in Canada
Minute 68: Darwin Núñez is about to enter the game for Liverpool. His call is chanted among the Anfield crowd as he enters alongside Jarrell Quansah. Cody Gakpo is replaced, which is a surprise, but it’s not surprising that Curtis Jones is also starting, given that he earlier took a shot from Sasa Lukic directly in the ankle and appeared to be limping afterwards.
Emile Smith Rowe and Rodrigo Muniz will also sign for Fulham, replacing Andreas Pereira and Raúl Jiménez.
65th min: Chance, Liverpool! The Reds nearly score for a second time today off a counter-attack directly following a Fulham corner. Mo Salah can’t quite put his tight-angle shot on target an a feed from the brilliant Dominic Szoboszlai! The Hungarian has been senational!
63rd minute: Fulham tried to calm the crowd down a bit as Liverpool gained more and more momentum, and they did so by looking to hold on to the ball a little longer. They even created two half chances, the one of which went to Harry Wilson, who barely managed to finish a ball ahead. Alex Iwobi also sends a cross into the danger zone, but there is no one to finish.
57th minute: Yellow card for Curtis Jones for a foul on Alex Iwobi. He is right in front of Arne Slot, who is furious and gets a caution. This will result in a lateral suspension for Slot, which triggers an accumulation suspension and is indeed very stupid as the caution for Jones was obvious.
Minute 54: Kenny Tete can’t continue, he returns to the field. He limps a lot and has a huge mark on his left leg. He will be replaced by Timothy Castagne in a 50-50 swap. The list of casualties continues to grow for Fulham in defense.
Minute 51: Joe Gomez and Kenny Tete are on the ground after colliding when Cody Gakpo shoots at goal. Tete watched the Dutchman and did not see the Liverpool defender make a vertical run on the Fulham man, so no foul was properly called, but it left both players on the field.
Gakpo is livid and protests to get a penalty, but in reality, it was Gomez who rushed in and hit the Fulham man.
Minute 47: GOAL! LIVERPOOL! The hosts are back thanks to Cody Gakpo!! He crashes into a diving header at the far post after a cross from this guy, Mo Salah!! Kenny Tete slipped and missed his mark!
Now, the clumsy control of the VAR, probably controlling a possible foul by Luis Díaz that results in Tete. It seems that Díaz grabs Tete’s arm and knocks him down. . . but the goal stands! Fulham fans may not like it, but they are on point and Anfield is exploding!
VIDEO: Watch Liverpool’s goal in the United States | See in Canada
Start of the second half: They are back on the road at Anfield and there is no change on either side. Fulham have a goal and a lead, but Liverpool looked better as the first half progressed.
HALFTIME: Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
The half-time whistle blew with Fulham ahead by a goal and a boy on the break. In reality, it is the visitors who will be glad to see the match stopped as they were trailing at the end of the half.
Still, Andy Robertson has left his Premier League leaders in a poor position with a poor last-man challenge, and it will take a hard fight-back for Liverpool to draw back level. Fulham look lively in their own right, but need to be careful as they have three players on a yellow card including two defenders — the visitors were a little too juiced for this big game and have proven a bit rash and unnecessarily physical at times.
Minute 45: Six minutes of added time are recorded, taking into account the two long delays and the yellow cards issued. A murmur echoed around Anfield as Liverpool seemed to have adapted more and more to the new situation as the match progressed. and stressed about the tie before the break.
41st min: Chance, Liverpool! The Reds look a bit more organized and aggressive in the last 10 minutes, and they get forward down the right where Dominic Szoboszlai fizzes an excellent cross to the head of Luis Diaz, but it’s just a hair off target and the Liverpool forward can’t get the right contact. He contorts his body awkwardly just to reach it, but heads the ball over the crossbar. A good opportunity!
Minute 33: Joe Gómez and Kenny Tete interact in a physical war on the touchline, and the referee makes the decision not to show a yellow card to either player, only having a heated verbal exchange with both. It’s a bit surprising, given that Gómez almost hits Tete’s head at the end in frustration, but the referee decides that he’s shown enough cards for now, that more pragmatism is needed here.
Minute 31: Good luck, Fulham! As Fulham break down the left flank, Joe Gomez steps in to make a very vital sliding block. It’s a truly sensational back pass from Andreas Pereira and he leaves it to Harry Wilson, but Gómez arrives to prevent the shot from reaching Alisson’s net!
Minute 27: Arne Slot does not have to make any changes to update his red-carded defender, limiting himself for the moment to the 10 players on the field.
Antonee Robinson receives a yellow card for fouling Luis Díaz by preventing a Liverpool counter on a Fulham corner claimed by Alisson and distributed immediately. The American was hit on the left wing thanks to a great play by Díaz and to frame the Colombian to absorb the warning. .
22nd min: Chance, Fulham! After a very long delay for the VAR review of the Andy Robertson red card, Harry Wilson finally has the free-kick from his foul, and it’s SO close to curling inside the top-left corner! A delicious delivery that whizzes by the woodwork!
Minute 16: RED CARD, LIVERPOOL! ANDY ROBERTSON IS GONE! WHAT A TURN OF EVENTS AT ANFIELD!He threw Harry Wilson to the ground for one last challenge!Virgil van Dijk is comfortable enough with the challenge to be a factor, and so Robertson leaves!
It’s a bit controversial, because the referee plays advantage initially, with Raul Jimenez latching onto the loose ball and having a shot on goal, which is saved by Alisson. Thus, Liverpool believe it should only be a yellow card for “stopping a promising attack” instead of “denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity” and no free kick given. However, as ESPN rules analyst Dale Johnson explains, “the chance belongs to the player, not the team when determining DOGSO.” It’s the right decision in the end for the situation, Robertson can have no complaints.
There is a long wait while the VAR checks to see if Harry Wilson is offside on the kick-off, which would make the difference in the game. It’s an incredibly close call, however, van Dijk plays with Wilson, and he’s the full-back! missing Liverpool left!
VIDEO: Look at Robertson’s card in the United States | See in Canada | View in Australia
Minute 11: GOAL! THE WHITES LEAD AT ANFIELD THROUGH ANDREAS PEREIRA!The Brazilian rewarded his coach’s decision with a really brilliant shot, tapping into Antonee Robinson’s cross near the far left corner with a flying ninja kick!The ball grabs Andy Robertson and hits Allison between the goalkeeper and the post!
VIDEO: Watch Fulham’s goal in the United States | View in Canada | View in Australia
Minute 9: Andreas Pereira’s THIRD yellow card of the match is already shown, hitting the back of Ryan Gravenberch’s ankles in midfield, the Brazilian will be suspended for Fulham’s next league game thanks to a cumulative suspension, which will occur the day after Christmas. . opposite Southampton.
7th min: Now a yellow card is shown to Luis Diaz as he attempts to produce a truly spectacular bicycle kick on a ball in from the left, but ends up almost kicking a Fulham defender in the head.
Minute 6: Almost the same thing happens this time, Luis Díaz receives a free kick outside the penalty area from Fulham but is flagged offside. The replay shows that it was a very close resolution and that it possibly would not have been the right one.
1st minute: There is already a long stoppage in the first minute of play, as Andy Robertson is undergoing treatment and appears to be in a lot of pain after taking the brunt of a challenge from Issa Diop, getting caught directly in the knee.
Diop was shown a yellow card for the challenge, which, on review, is fair, but also confusing as Robertson has been booked for offside, so this should not be a game scenario worthy of being cautioned. Marco Silva is incredibly unhappy yelling at the fourth official, and he will know that it is a very nervous scenario now that there are already so few characteristics of centre-back.
It’s strange, because in truth, it is a difficult enough challenge to justify the concept of a red, yet Fulham know that the offside flag also cancel the occasion altogether. Thus, the resolution of a yellow card will confuse either parties.
HOME: “You will never walk alone” echoes from Anfield stadium, and the ball is ready for this Premier League match! Bernd Leno makes his impressive 90th consecutive Premier League start.
15 mins to kickoff: While they aren’t quite fully fit yet to start and play 90 minutes, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa could both provide a welcome jolt of life to the Liverpool attack should they be needed off the bench today. Kickoff is right around the corner!
One note Liverpool enthusiasts have in mind is that Ryan Gravenberch will be suspended when he receives his next caution as he has 4 yellow cards this season.
We’re about to start ⏳ #LIVFUL pic. twitter. com/rkmYXiHOi2
30 minutes before kick-off: Liverpool have had the perfect season, but especially at home, where they have re-established Anfield as a fortress. They have suffered just one defeat in their last 12 home games since the end of last season, while the other 11 games ended in victory, an impressive recent record. If we go back further, that’s 3 losses in their last 68 home games.
45 mins to kickoff: Fulham’s 23 points have them 10th in the Premier League table, which represents their second-most points through the first 15 matches of a season in club history. What’s incredible about that is they still have a few results which feel as though they were robbed of points late, such as the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, 1-0 loss to Man United, or the 1-1 draw with West Ham. Had a few of those gone their way, they may have an even better standing in the battle for European places.
Fulham have accumulated 23 problems in their first 15 Premier League games this season (W6 D5 L4), their highest time at this level in a Premier League campaign only in 2003-04, when they had 25 problems. [@ OptaJoe]#LFC | #FFC | #LIVFUL pic. twitter. com/AHi2BB7lUg
1 hour before kick-off: the queues have arrived and there are more surprises from Fulham than from Liverpool. For the locals, as we suspected, Darwin Núñez releases the lineout with the entry of Cody Gakpo, displacing Luis Díaz to the center forward position, although those two can overlap a lot in the game. They also got Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa fit enough to be on the bench.
For Fulham there are two attractive changes. Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traoré, both in the squad this season, are on the bench, while Andreas Pereira and Harry Wilson are starters. Pereira has been mediocre overall this year, but he has a chance to play an important game. Wilson, meanwhile, was incredibly effective off the bench but largely played a back-up role to Traore.
1 hour 15 mins to kick: The Liverpool lineup isn’t the only one to provide clarity on squad narratives in 15 minutes. Fulham also have questions to answer involving Andreas Pereira, who’s struggled this season providing just one goal contribution in Premier League action.
Even if Emile Smith Rowe wasn’t brilliant, he was actually better in the number 10 role than Pereira, who is now redundant. He didn’t help himself to an interview during his November holiday abroad in which he seemed to recommend seeking a move to French side Marseille. Will the Brazilian see the eleven from the beginning or will he continue as a substitute?
“Andreas is going to be back stronger” ?Fulham boss Marco Silva says Andreas Pereira’s absence against Tottenham was not down to an interview where he appeared to suggest he wanted to join Marseille ⚪ pic.twitter.com/awTRXSpYIA
1 hour 30 mins to kick: It will be fascinating to see whether struggling Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez gets the start up front today or if he’s plopped on the bench by Arne Slot. The Uruguayan was backed by his manager before the match, but his finishing has been exceedingly poor.
Slot said he believes “it is a matter of time before he starts to score,” but also admitted that Nunez is “in competition with” both Luis Diaz and the injured Diogo Jota who is expected to return soon. “This is the challenge he also faces now.” Who will get the start today? There’s only room for two of Diaz, Nunez, and Cody Gakpo in the attacking unit alongside the ever-present Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot defended Darwin Nunez despite the striker’s problems in front of goal. Full story: https://t. co/XRRgcuuU26 #BBCFootball pic. twitter. com/4H9YzPsr2C
1 hour forty-five minutes before kick-off: today’s game at Anfield will come with a minute of applause in the 19th minute for Liverpool fan Zacharias Atkinson, a 19-year-old who died in a commercial twist of fate at the docks from Bootle on Wednesday.
2 hours to kickoff: Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson has arguably been not only one of the best left-backs in the Premier League but in the world over the past two years. Marco Silva called the 27-year-old “a top player and great professional” as well as a “proper athlete”.
Silva praised the improvement of his defensive talent without sacrificing his offensive contributions. “He’s getting better season after season, week after week. We’re proud to have him with us. “
He will have his biggest challenge of the season so far against Mohamed Salah – a huge check for the England-born US international.
Antonee Robinson has made more combined tackles and steals (73) than any Premier League player this season. ? pic. twitter. com/530ddLb5j4
This Premier League match will kick off at Anfield Stadium on Saturday, December 14 at 15:00 local time in Liverpool, England.
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Liverpool are in pretty good shape, with the physical problems that lately affecting other more sensible European clubs. The only regular starter absent through injury is Ibrahima Konate, who will be out for a few weeks with a knee problem, while Alexis Mac Allister is suspended due to accumulation. yellow cards.
Others who were available probably wouldn’t have started anyway. Konstantinos Tsimikas is suffering from an ankle problem, while Conor Bradley also has a hamstring problem. Federico Chiesa is in doubt due to illness.
The tactical question for Slot here is whether to start suffering forward Darwin Núñez or move Luis Díaz to midfield. Regardless, Cody Gakpo will most likely enter the lineup at either forward’s position.
Liverpool XI (4-3-3, right to left): Alisson (GK) – Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson – Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones – Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Liverpool subs (9): Kelleher (GK), Quansah, Nyoni, Endo, Morton, Elliott, Chiesa, Nunez, Jota.
MORE: Premier League top scorer rankings | Latest La Liga top goal scorer list
Fulham’s depth has been completely sapped by injuries, and the roster is littered with absentees. Reiss Nelson will miss at least 10 weeks with a serious hamstring injury, leading to more time for Adama Traore amidst a revival campaign.
Meanwhile, midfielder Harrison Reed is out until the new year after knee surgery, and Joachim Andersen is doubtful with a calf problem. Combine them with suspensions from Tom Cairney and Calvin Bassey, and Silva’s look is incredibly lean.
It appears that Andreas Pereira, with just one Premier League goal so far this season, has lost his place in the starting XI. He has started on the bench in Fulham’s last 3 league games.
Fulham starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Leno (GK) — Tete, Diop, Cuenca, Robinson — Berge, Lukic — Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi — Jimenez
Fulham subs (9): Benda (GK), Sessegnon, Castagne, King, Smith Rowe, Godo, Traore, Vinicius, Muniz.
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Kyle Bonn graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in broadcast journalism and has been covering soccer on a global scale for more than a decade. Kyle specializes in football tactics and betting and has a degree in knowledge analysis. Kyle also produces television broadcasts for Wake Forest football and previously appeared on NBC Soccer and IMG College. When he’s not covering the game, he’s long been a stalwart with the New York Giants, Yankees and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when he’s not watching or covering sports.