Parker proud of Fulham’s desire against champions
SCOTT Parker expressed his pride in Fulham’s determined performance as they drew 1-1 with champions Liverpool on Sunday.
The Reds missed the opportunity to reclaim top spot in the Premier League after they came from behind late on to secure the point.
Bobby Decordova-Reid struck the ball expertly past the recently returned Alisson to give the Cottagers the lead, but Parker’s side were unable to hold off Liverpool’s second-half fightback.
Jurgen Klopp’s men came out after the break looking to make an impact and eventually found the equaliser when Mohamed Salah converted from the spot in the 80th minute.
Following Tottenham’s draw at Crystal Palace, a win would have returned the Reds to the summit of the league. The Cottagers had gone into the game with just seven points from 11 league fixtures this season.
“I’m very proud,” said the Fulham manager. “I think effort, commitment, the desire, we showed that in abundance today and that’s the constant message and an ingredient which I think it’s fair to say my team always show.
“I thought first half we showed some real quality and it was clear to see the way we played and moved the ball caused Liverpool, who are a fantastic team, a lot of problems.
“Probably on the scale of things we could have gone in a couple of goals up.
“I think the game panned out second half how we all knew it was going to, so we’re all very, very proud of the team.
“[I am] probably a little bit disappointed and that probably shows how far we’ve come in such a short space of time, that we’re disappointed coming off the pitch with just a draw.”
Fulham welcomed back 2,000 supporters to Craven Cottage for the first time since a 2-0 win over Preston on February 29, as Liverpool’s 18-match winning streak against newly-promoted sides came to an end.
The hosts began brightly in contrast to their recent sluggish display against Manchester City and Ivan Cavaleiro forced Alisson into a sharp save inside the opening five minutes. Just as Liverpool were looking to settle, Fulham found space between their lines with Ademola Lookman playing in Cavaleiro, only for Alisson to deny the Portuguese player for a second time in the opening 15 minutes.
Fulham managed to break through for a third time and VAR was called in following a tackle from Fabinho on Cavaleiro, but referee Andre Marriner made a quick decision to award only a corner after consulting the on-field monitor.
The hosts were rewarded for their early dominance and attacking threat in the 25th minute though when Decordova-Reid fired the ball past Alisson after been played through by Lookman.
It took the Reds until late on in the first half to find their rhythm after being limited to just one shot in the opening 35 minutes.
The visitors’ first real opening came with five minutes remaining of the half when Sadio Mane, looking for his first league goal since October 17, headed Curtis Jones’ lofted cross over the bar, with Salah also firing wide minutes later. Despite Klopp’s defensive problems taking a turn for the worse with Joel Matip being replaced at half-time, Liverpool began to enjoy the majority of possession in the second half.
Makeshift centre-back Jordan Henderson forced Alphonse Areola into a sprawling close-range save after finding space behind the Fulham defensive line.
Liverpool were then given a way back with just over 10 minutes remaining when referee Marriner pointed to the spot after a handball in the wall following a Gini Wijnaldum free-kick. Salah blasted the penalty low and down the centre – with Areola unable to keep the shot out despite getting a glove to the ball – to record his 13th goal of the season.