Fulham vs Liverpool ended in dramatic fashion as Harrison Reed’s stunning 97th-minute strike earned Fulham a 2-2 draw, at Craven Cottage.
The match, which kicked off 15 minutes late due to a medical emergency in the crowd, summarized Liverpool’s frustrating season. Arne Slot’s side, shorn of attackers Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and Mohamed Salah, lacked a cutting edge for long periods.
Fulham draws the first blood
The Reds fell behind in the 17th minute to a familiar foe. Former academy winger Harry Wilson ran onto Raul Jimenez’s clever flick, finishing coolly past Alisson. The goal was initially ruled offside but was awarded after a VAR review, with Virgil van Dijk playing the Welshman on.[smartframe_images_embed customer-id=”1ffbae35d432d0d71911ca2a0b209fbb” image-id=”prsiYwrLWcs1″ style=”width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 2700px; aspect-ratio: 2700/1800;”]
Liverpool on the hunt for a comeback
Liverpool’s first-half performance was limp, failing to register a shot on target. They improved after the break, with Alexis Mac Allister hitting the crossbar with a header. The equaliser arrived in controversial fashion. Conor Bradley’s driving run and pass found Florian Wirtz, who finished neatly. The flag went up immediately, but after another lengthy VAR check, the goal was given, with Wirtz deemed onside by the narrowest of margins.[smartframe_images_embed customer-id=”1ffbae35d432d0d71911ca2a0b209fbb” image-id=”prsiFvXNDizO” style=”width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 2700px; aspect-ratio: 2700/1800;”]
Dreamy final minutes
The game seemed destined for a draw until a frantic finale. In the 94th minute, substitute Jeremie Frimpong fizzed a cross into the box, and Cody Gakpo bundled it home to spark wild celebrations. However, Fulham came back. Two substitutes combined. Kevin rolled a pass back to Reed, who took a touch before sending a shot into the top corner from 25 yards.[smartframe_images_embed customer-id=”1ffbae35d432d0d71911ca2a0b209fbb” image-id=”prsirJtBue5S” style=”width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 8640px; aspect-ratio: 8640/5760;”]
The result extends Liverpool’s unbeaten run to nine games, but the nature of the draw feels like a defeat. Their performances remain unconvincing, with a lack of pace and potency in attack glaringly apparent without their star forwards. The late collapse also highlighted familiar defensive frailties, leaving them with much to ponder ahead of a daunting trip to league leaders Arsenal.
