GLASS IS HAL LF FUL FOR REDS
SALAH EQUALISER EARNS POINT BUT LIVERPOOL WASTE OPPORTUNITY TO REGAIN TOP SPOT
LIVERPOOL missed the chance to reclaim top spot in the Premier League after they came from behind late on to secure a 1-1 draw at Fulham.
Bobby Decordova-Reid struck the ball expertly past the recently returned Alisson to give the Cottagers the lead, but Scott Parker’s side were unable to hold off Liverpool’s second-half fightback to secure all three points.
Jurgen Klopp’s men came out after the break looking to make an impact on the game and eventually found the equaliser when Mohamed Salah converted from the spot after 79 minutes
Following Tottenham’s draw at Crystal Palace, a win would have returned
the Reds to the summit of the league, but after a lacklustre performance against a determined Fulham side they had to settle for 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 started quickly 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 into the game, Fulham found space between their lines with Ademola Lookman playing in Cavaleiro, only for Alisson to deny the Portuguese player.
Fulham managed to break through the Liverpool lines for a third time and VAR was called in over a tackle from Fabinho on Cavaleiro in the penalty area, but referee Andre Marriner decided to award only a corner after consulting the on-field monitor.
In the 25th minute, Fulham were rewarded for their early dominance when Decordova-Reid fired past Alisson. The forward had been played in by Lookman, who was having a big influence on the game. It took the Reds until
late in the first half to find their rhythm after being limited to just one shot in the opening 35 minutes.
The visitors’ first real chance came 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 started to enjoy the majority of possession in the second half.
Makeshift centre-back Jordan Henderson forced Alphonse Areola into a sprawling close-range save and Liverpool were given a way back into the match with just over ten minutes left, referee Marriner giving handball against Aboubakar Kamara in the wall following a Georginio Wijnaldum free-kick.
Salah blasted the subsequent spotkick low and down the centre.