Fulham 3-2 Liverpool: Reds endure second Premier League defeat in quest for record-equalling twentieth title
are on the verge of profitable a record-equalling twentieth championship, however their coronation will likely be delayed following a 3-2 loss to at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
With their nearest rival, Arsenal, drawing 1-1 at Goodison Park on Saturday, coupled with this loss, Liverpool now holds an 11-point lead and requires solely eight factors from their remaining six matches to clinch the title.
Maybe complacency had crept in, as they discovered themselves trailing by two or extra objectives at halftime in England’s prime division for the primary time since February 2023 (towards Wolves), and so they have but to win a Premier League match after being two or extra objectives down at halftime since October 2008, once they got here again to win 3–2 towards Manchester Metropolis. From then onwards, the Reds discovered themselves on this state of affairs on 23 events (together with right now) and misplaced every time.
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Had they gained, the street map can be easy: the Merseyside giants might be topped English champions later this month, however that might even have required Arsenal to lose their subsequent two matches: at residence towards Brentford subsequent weekend and away at Ipswich City on April twentieth. The Gunners kick off earlier than Leicester entertains Liverpool.
Whereas there are numerous elements contributing to Liverpool’s present place, none is extra vital than Mohamed Salah, their undisputed talisman. Nonetheless, right now was an uncharacteristically nameless exhibiting from the soon-to-be-crowned PFA Gamers’ Participant of the 12 months.
It was his counterpart, Alex Iwobi, who stole the present in a traditionally unhealthy first-half efficiency from the Reds, who might have conceded an early spot-kick. Fulham had been aggrieved they weren’t handed an early penalty when Andreas Pereira robbed an informal Ibrahima Konaté in his personal field and squared for Rodrigo Muniz as Caoimhín Kelleher sprawled at his toes, however the large Brazilian instantly had Virgil van Dijk in his face and snatched on the shot, which he sliced horribly. Muniz did rush his shot, however solely as a result of he was about to be worn out by a 6ft 7ins man-mountain of a goalkeeper.
Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Carragher at Craven Cottage: “Has VAR missed one thing with Kelleher and Pereira?”
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So as to add insult to damage, the impasse was lastly damaged ten minutes later when Alexis Mac Allister struck a outstanding shot from 20 yards, discovering the again of the online past Leno. Muniz was outmanoeuvred on the midway line, and each Alex Iwobi and Sander Berge had been unable to cease the Argentine. Mac Allister then discovered house on the fringe of the Fulham field earlier than firing a exact shot into the far nook.
Of Mac Allister’s 9 Premier League objectives for Liverpool, three have come from outdoors the field, matching the quantity he scored throughout his 16 appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion. This aim is a milestone for him, as Mac Allister turns into the fourth Argentine participant to achieve 25 Premier League objectives, becoming a member of the ranks of Sergio Agüero (184), Carlos Tevez (84), and Manuel Lanzini (27).
The hosts rapidly responded as Ryan Sessegnon scored shortly after, following an assault down the alternative flank. Timothy Castagne delivered a cross that was barely too excessive for Muniz, who was underneath stress from Konaté. Curtis Jones did not anticipate the play, and the ball deflected off his thigh, ricocheting again throughout the aim to Sessegnon. He then struck a robust shot into the underside nook. Sessegnon has now been concerned in 4 Premier League objectives in his final 5 matches, with three objectives and one help.
The sport took a dramatic flip when the runaway leaders had been unexpectedly halted on the banks of the Thames. It began with a poor move from Andy Robertson throughout the sting of his personal field, which was intercepted by Alex Iwobi. Iwobi exchanged passes with Pereira, permitting him to advance into the realm. Dealing with restricted choices attributable to Van Dijk’s presence, Iwobi selected to strike with energy. A deflection off Robertson deceived Kelleher and gave Fulham the lead.
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Earlier than Liverpool might get better, catastrophe struck once more on the again. Van Dijk was simply outplayed by Muniz, who made a stunning first contact whereas ready for a excessive ball to drop. Muniz’s first contact took Van Dijk out of the equation, and he calmly completed into the underside nook as Kelleher rushed out.
That is the primary time two Liverpool outfield gamers (Robertson and Jones) have made errors resulting in a aim in the identical Premier League recreation within the final 9 seasons. On every of the seven earlier events, at the very least one of many errors was by the goalkeeper.
No marvel Liverpool’s followers had been shocked into silence. That is the primary time they’ve been two objectives behind within the Premier League all season. Moreover, it’s the first time in Premier League historical past that the Reds have conceded three objectives in a primary half after scoring the opening aim.
An ear-bashing from Reds head coach Arne Slot at half-time wouldn’t have been dominated out as Liverpool produced a masterclass in how to not defend. It was roles reversed after the break as Fulham went to sleep defensively. Jones discovered substitute Conor Bradley in an enormous expanse of house within the Fulham half, and the full-back charged ahead and slipped in fellow off-the-bench participant Luis Díaz, who took a contact and completed clinically. He took it brilliantly. And it meant Díaz has scored 10 Premier League objectives in a season for the primary time.
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Harvey Elliott, who got here by Fulham’s academy, was one other to return on for Liverpool and noticed a 79th-minute effort crash off the woodwork. Regardless of throwing every part at Fulham within the ultimate 10 minutes, the West Londoners held on. For the primary time this season, Liverpool misplaced after getting in entrance; they’d beforehand dropped the fewest factors (eight)—22 wins and 4 attracts—after taking the lead.
Liverpool’s first away defeat of the season, which ended a 25-game unbeaten run within the competitors, would have been greeted with frustration in north London as Arsenal had been unable to capitalise given their current detached kind. Regardless that Slot’s males are inside touching distance of Liverpool being topped England’s primary aspect once more, right now was a reminder that the Premier League stays unpredictable and aggressive as ever.
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