Liverpool scored four magnificent goals as they fought back to beat Fulham 4-3 at Anfield.
Hot off the press from Europa League round of 16 qualification, attention turned back to the Premier League as Liverpool looked to continue their pursuit of a title challenge.
In their way was Fulham, a club looking to evade ‘second-season-syndrome’ and avoid the drop down to the Championship this season. Thus far, four wins from thirteen games have seen them steer clear of danger.
A win would take Liverpool second in the Premier League table, provided Manchester City would fail to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the later kick-off. The usual suspects started the match, with no surprising inclusions.
Caoimhin Kelleher retained his position as goalkeeper, with no.1 Alisson still sidelined through injury.
Ryan Gravenberch earned his start after an impressive game against LASK midweek. He was partnered by Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield.
Mohamed Salah was searching for his 200th Liverpool goal. The Egyptian started alongside Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.
Trent Alexander-Arnold provided an ‘assist’ after delivering a cracking free kick to open the scoring, with the ball deflecting off Bernd Leno from the crossbar and into the back of the net. He’ll be gutted the goal will be recorded as an own-goal.
It didn’t take long for the west London club to respond as former Red, Harry Wilson, poked home in between Kelleher’s legs to bring Fulham level at the Kop end.
Since signing Alexis Mac Allister for £35million from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer, he has provided midfield stability and class, likened to the role of Georginio Wijnaldum in the days of old.
The Argentine scored his first Liverpool goal as he unleashed his ‘inner-Gerrard’ to thwart the ball from 27 yards to find the top corner. An incredible way to restore Liverpool’s lead.
They wouldn’t take this lead into half-time, however, as Kenny Tete was able to draw level after Kelleher found himself in an unfortunate position to let in a pea-roller. An agonising watch for the Irish shot-stopper.
The onus was on Liverpool in the second half to find a way back in front to beat Fulham. These are the matches needed to win to mount a serious title challenge against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.
In minute 80, Bobby Decordova-Reid scored from Tom Cairney’s cross at the back-post. All of a sudden, Liverpool were staring down the barrel of a rare Anfield defeat. The Reds have suffered just one defeat in front of a crowd since April 2017 (Leeds, 2022).
Liverpool needed a hero, and so Jurgen Klopp called upon Japanese defensive midfielder Wataru Endo. It took just a few minutes before Endo’s beautiful curling effort from outside the box brought the game level at three-all.
Not even a minute later, Trent Alexander-Arnold brought down and smashed the ball past Leno in goal. From three-two down to four-three up. Anfield erupted with a familiar sense of optimism only before sensed when hope becomes expectation.
This Liverpool side have a lot to prove, and a lot of areas to develop. But there is no doubt they are on their way in the right direction. Are they good enough to challenge Arsenal and Manchester City? Time will dictate.
Liverpool’s next challenge comes on Wednesday evening as they play Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the Premier League. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
Liverpool team: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Matip (Konate 69), Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Szoboszlai (Gakpo 64), Mac Allister (Gomez 65), Gravenberch (Endo 83), Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Fulham team: Leno, Tete (Castagne 75), Bassey, Ream, Robinson, Reed (Vinicius 90), Palhinha, Wilson (Cairney 62), Pereira (Willian 62), Iwobi (Decordova-Reid 75), Jimenez.
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