Liverpool went through the full scale of emotions as they twice came from behind to fight out a rollercoaster 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield. The Reds had it all to do after Andy Robertson was sent off in just the 17th minute with Arne Slot’s side already trailing.
But goals at either end of the second half from Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota earned Liverpool a deserved share of the spoils. In truth, they will feel they could have even won the game.
The stalemate did not prevent the Reds from extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points, though Chelsea have the opportunity to claw some of the distance back when they host Brentford on Sunday night.
But you already know all that, of course. Still, with Saturday’s encounter also taking place during the Premier League’s 3pm TV blackout, there was also plenty that went under the radar at Anfield…
Confused? You will be…
There was plenty of confusion at either end of Liverpool’s draw with Fulham, starting with Robertson’s red card. Former Reds hero Jason McAteer was sat next to the ECHO in the press box and was initially convinced that Harry Wilson was offside, so the Scotland international would be spared from being dismissed.
Then there was the confusion regarding how Liverpool would actually line up after accepting Robertson’s dismissal as a number of alterations saw Joe Gomez play three different defensive positions in quick-succession. He would twice come over to Slot for clarification from the sidelines.
With Ryan Gravenberch dropping to an unfamiliar centre-back position, he too needed some guidance as captain Virgil van Dijk was spotted telling his compatriot to move to the right of him rather than left.
The Reds would re-group and find their rhythm, but there was still time for further confusion late on as the fourth official signalled for nine minutes of additional time on his board. Yet five minutes was read out over the tannoy to up the pressure as Liverpool pushed in vain against the clock for a late winner.
Fulham captain Antonee Robinson was a star performer for the Cottagers on Saturday as he left Anfield with two assists under his belt. But there was one slip-up in particular from the full-back that earned him jeers from the home crowd.
As Fulham’s players re-entered the field for the start of the second half, they jogged through some cones on the turf as part of a final warm-up following the interval. Unfortunately for former Everton defender Robinson, he would slip up and fall on his backside, much to the amusement of the Kop in particular.
Darwin Nunez made headlines during the week as he alluded to criticism he had faced from some sections of the Liverpool fanbase on social media, following two difficult showings against Newcastle United and Girona.
Although benched against Fulham, he offered the perfect response by setting up Jota for the late equaliser.
However, the Uruguayan had already been sent a message by supporters inside of Anfield following such backlash. Just the sight of the striker standing up and removing his training top ahead of being brought on was enough to prompt his name being loudly chanted.
Nunez remains a firm fan-favourite amongst match-going supporters at least, with the majority standing tall to support the Reds’ record signing – despite the impression you might get from a vocal minority on social media.
Slot unimpressed
Slot was a most animated figure during Liverpool’s draw with Fulham, with it perhaps no surprise that he was eventually booked. The Dutchman had his head in hands as he jumped up and down, reacting furiously to a number of decisions – including one just before being issued with a yellow card.
He would take issue with his side being left unable to take a quick throw-in following a poor kick from goalkeeper Bernd Leno, as Kenny Tete fell to the floor in pain soon after suffering an issue after colliding with Joe Gomez in the Fulham box.
Slot’s very next outburst, after seeing Curtis Jones booked, earned him his yellow card as he offered a thumbs up in the direction of referee Tony Harrington in response.
He was then unimpressed with Leno and his time-wasting late on, as he was caught counting how long the German was holding onto the ball.
Robertson off his seat
Robertson might have been sent off against Fulham, but that did not stop him from taking a seat behind the dugout for the second half against the Cottagers.
And, like everyone else inside Anfield, the Scot and the rest of the Reds’ bench were glued to the action as Liverpool pushed for a late goal.
Robertson, Gakpo, Jones, Federico Chiesa, Dominik Szoboszlai, Kostas Tsimikas and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all spotted standing to watch the action, kicking every ball as the Reds surged forward.
Following Jota’s equaliser, the bench went crazy with Gakpo even spotted briefly running back onto the pitch and punching the air in celebration. Chiesa was also most animated as he ran forward to the edge of the technical area to celebrate.
Salah fumes with two team-mates
It would not be an ECHO moments missed post-match story without some fume! And while we’ve already teased some Arne Slot anger, Mohamed Salah flipped his lid late on as Liverpool went in search for a winner.
The Egyptian was unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, staring at a potential tap-in if the ball was played to him when he saw Luis Diaz receive the ball in the box and cut inside to his left in an attempt to dummy two defenders rather than pass to his fellow forward.
With his eventual shot blocked, the rebound fell to Jota, who would also go for goal himself through a sea of bodies rather than try to pick out the unmarked Salah.
It goes without saying that the 32-year-old was not happy! A rather animated figure, he gesticulated at the pair before staring to the heavens is disbelief.
Ice for Iwobi!
Salah would get one late shot on goal himself, only to see his effort blocked by former Everton star Alex Iwobi from the closest of distances. A fierce volley, the Nigerian knew little about it as it hit him square in the… well, you don’t need me to paint you a picture here.
Belatedly collapsing to the floor in agony once the ball had been seen out of play, having previously limped around gingerly with one hand nursing the area, the Kop took great glee in mocking Iwobi as they chanted ‘Blue and white s***e!’ in his direction.
McAteer, who had been an animated figure throughout proceedings in the press box, was most amused as he laughed loudly.
Meanwhile, Iwobi was still feeling the ill-effects as he left Anfield later that evening. Walking through the mixed zone, he was asked how he was by one onlooker.
“Nah, I’m in pain!” he admitted. “It’s unreal! I can barely walk.” You should have just let Salah score, Alex!
