Premier League - Sunday 03rd December 2023, 2:00 PM
Liverpool
4
(2)
-
(2)
3
Fulham
Attendance: 0
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)
Match events
Leno og
20
24
Wilson
Mac Allister
38
48
Tete
62
Willian
62
Pereira
62
Cairney
62
Wilson
Gakpo
64
Szoboszlai
64
Gomez
65
Mac Allister
65
Konate
69
Matip
69
75
De Cordova-Reid
75
Iwobi
75
Castagne
75
Tete
80
De Cordova-Reid
Endo
83
Gravenberch
83
Endo
87
Alexander-Arnold
88
Match review
Match Report
Liverpool (2) 4.3 (2) Fulham
Premier League Match Day 14 23/24 at Anfield
Sunday 3rd December 2023 KO: 14:00
Referee:
Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)
|
Trent Alexander-Arnold was Liverpool's hero as his 88th-minute strike secured Jurgen Klopp's side a dramatic 4-3 victory against Fulham at Anfield.
Liverpool twice took the lead in a thrilling first half, but Fulham responded on both occasions. Alexander-Arnold's stunning free-kick went in off Bernd Leno (20) but Harry Wilson (24) brought the visitors level.
Alexis Mac Allister's spectacular strike (38) restored the Reds' advantage, but Fulham hit back again as VAR awarded Kenny Tete's equaliser (45+3).
Liverpool pushed for a winner in the second half, Darwin Nunez denied by the crossbar, but they were hit by a sucker punch in the 80th minute as substitute Bobby Decordova-Reid headed home Tom Cairney's cross.
However, it was Liverpool's turn to respond as two goals in as many minutes from Wataru Endo (87) and Alexander-Arnold (88), who scored his side's equaliser last week against Manchester City, completed a late turnaround.
The last-gasp win sees Klopp's side keep pace in the Premier League title race. They move up to second ahead of Man City's clash with Tottenham and stay two points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Meanwhile, a deflated Fulham sit 14th after a seventh defeat of the season.
There was action at Anfield from the very first whistle. Bernd Leno spilled Dominik Szoboszlai's powerful drive from the edge of the box and Luis Diaz pounced on the ball before being brought down by the Fulham goalkeeper, allowing Mohamed Salah to tap into the empty net. However, the flag went up against Diaz and a VAR check confirmed the decision.
The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute in stunning style. A week after scoring against Manchester City, Alexander-Arnold produced an exquisite free-kick, whipping a brilliant free-kick over the wall, off the bar and into the net from 25 yards.
It was a moment of magic which Liverpool would have expected to have kicked on from, but Fulham responded brilliantly with Antonee Robinson teeing up Wilson to bring the scores level from close range.
It was going to take something special to overshadow Alexander-Arnold's goal, but Mac Allister pulled it off, smashing a powerful half-volley into the top corner from 30 yards to restore Liverpool's advantage.
But Fulham hit back again with Tete latching onto Raul Jimenez's flick and poking it past Caoimhin Kelleher. The flag went up for offside but VAR overturned the decision with Nunez playing Tete onside to bring Fulham level again.
There were chances at both end before the break as Ream, who converted from close range, was correctly denied by the offside flag before Leno smartly kept out Salah's volley at his near post to end a thrilling first half.
Match Stats |
Liverpool |
Fulham |
Goals |
(2)4 |
3 (2) |
|
Scorers |
Leno og 20 |
Wilson 24 |
|
Mac Allister 38 |
Tete 45+3 |
|
Endo 87 |
De Cordova-Reid 80 |
|
Alexander-Arnold 88 |
- |
 , |
Goal attempts |
26 |
9 |
On target |
12 |
5 |
Shooting Accuracy |
46% |
56% |
Possession |
62% |
38% |
Passes |
624 |
392 |
Passes Success |
82% |
73% |
Crosses |
13 |
10 |
Crosses Success |
15% |
10% |
Corners |
3 |
4 |
Tackles |
15 |
22 |
Tackles Success |
71% |
41% |
Saves |
2 |
9 |
Fouls |
6 |
7 |
Offsides |
5 |
1 |
Yellows |
0 |
0 |
Reds |
0 |
0 |
source: SkySports |
Fulham continued to be aggressive after the interval as they continued to send white shirts forward, but that left plenty of space for Liverpool to break into. Salah burst into the Fulham half before playing in Nunez, who sent a strike crashing into the crossbar.
It was yet another game where Nunez's contribution was minimal as he bundled the ball wide after being set up by Salah again.
Then came the sucker punch as substitute De Cordova-Reid out-jumped Kostas Tsimikas at the far post.
Endo then had a header saved and Salah fired over the rebound before the Japan international stroked home the equaliser, setting up Alexander-Arnold to deliver the final blow.
Fulham host Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, kick-off 7.30pm. It's then a home clash with West Ham on Sunday, kick-off 2pm.
Fulham boss Marco Silva:
"A great Premier League match. It's clear we deserved much more.
"We showed the character and personality to come back twice at Anfield, and to be able to score the third goal in a very good style.
"I'm really proud of them, definitely. The way we played, the way we matched Liverpool. The way we showed the spirit.
"It was great, great goals every time. Normally that doesn't happen. They scored four great goals from long distance. But the way we reacted every time from those situations.
Even we were able to lead the score 3-2 for part of the second half.
"Of course I am proud. We didn't deserve the result, definitely in my opinion. We are taking many [positives] but unfortunately not points.
But this is something we will take into the future."
Liverpool : Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Matip (Konate 69), van Dijk, Tsimikas, Szoboszlai (Gakpo 64), Mac Allister (Gomez 65), Gravenberch (Endo 83), Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Unused substitutes: Adrian, Jones, Elliott, Doak, Quansah
Goals:
Alexander-Arnold 20 (Stunning!
A week after scoring a cracker at Manchester City, Alexander-Arnold reaches into the top drawer to open the scoring for Liverpool.
About 25 yards from goal, right of centre, the right-back whips a brilliant free-kick over the wall, off the bar and into the net.
Liverpool have dominated this game and now have their reward.
FPL assist: Dominik Szoboszlai)
Mac Allister 39 (It was always going to take something special to overshadow Alexander-Arnold's opener - but Mac Allister has just pulled it off.
Jimenez misplaces a headed pass about 30 yards from goal and Mac Allister wastes no time, running onto the bouncing ball before smashing a wonderful half-volley into the top corner.
Leno has absolutely no chance - and that will go down as one of the goals of the season.)
Endo 85 (A hat-trick of cracking goals from Liverpool!
Nunez cushions a long ball down to Salah, who lays the ball off for the arriving Endo.
The midfielder opens up his body and bends a brilliant finish into the top corner.)
Alexander-Arnold 87 (WOW! Two goals in three minutes - and maybe Liverpool do have their winner!
Leno does will initially, beating away Gakpo's low effort at the near post.
Byt Nunez does well to pick up the rebound, sending a cross to the back post for Alexander-Arnold, who takes the ball down before crashing a shot inside the near post.)
Fulham : Leno, Tete (Castagne 75), Bassey, Ream, Robinson, Reed (Vinicius 90), Palhinha, Wilson (Cairney 62), Pereira (Willian 62), Iwobi (De Cordova-Reid 75), Jimenez
Unused substitutes: Rodak, Adarabioyo, Ballo-Toure, Lukic, Vinicius
Goals:
Wilson 25 (Moments after saying Liverpool looked set to score a second, Wilson levels the scores.
It's completely against the run of play - but really isn't great from the hosts.
Fulham break down the left, with Robinson having all the time in the world to slide a low cross into the near post.
Alexander-Arnold is nowhere near Wilson, who steals in to poke the ball past Kelleher and silence Anfield.
FPL assist: Antonee Robinson)
Tete 45+6 (VAR overturns the offside decision and Fulham are level again!
Liverpool have been really sloppy defensively in this half and they're pegged back deep into stoppage time by Tete.
Jimenez is unmarked at the front post and his header deflects into the path of Tete, who turns the ball past Kelleher from an onside position.)
De Cordova-Reid 78 (It had been coming!
Liverpool have been all over the place out of possession all afternoon and they are punished for a third time.
A cross from the right is overhit but salvaged by Willian and Cairney, with the latter clipping a ball to the far post.
Decordova-Reid wants it far more than Tsimikas, dominating his marker and guiding the ball past Kelleher.
Anfield is stunned again - and Liverpool are set to miss the chance to go above Manchester City into second.)
Referee:
Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)
Attendance: 50,143