Liverpool rescue some extent at Fulham, however may very well be left taking part in catch-up

LONDON — Fulham confirmed they do not wish to be within the Premier League simply to make up the numbers once more as they got here near beating Liverpool at Craven Cottage, with the sport ending as a 2-2 draw..

– Report: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool | Premier League table | Next Prem fixtures

Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored 43 objectives within the Championship final season, confirmed that on the age of 27 he may lastly be prepared for the Premier League. After heading dwelling the primary aim, he then received and transformed a penalty to verify the house facet collected some extent.

Liverpool needed to depend on the outdated and the brand new, as Darwin Nunez scored their first equaliser and Mohamed Salah netted the second — they usually assisted one another’s objectives.

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Fast Response

Liverpool danger dropping early floor

It feels virtually absurd to recommend this on the opening day of the season, however such are the requirements Liverpool and Manchester City have set in latest instances that dropping two factors at Fulham represents an early blow within the title race.

Jurgen Klopp’s facet misplaced solely two video games within the league final season and had been twice behind at Craven Cottage, displaying admirable tenacity to combat again.

Metropolis have a tough-looking opener at West Ham United on Sunday however they now have an opportunity to ascertain an early benefit over their closest rivals. Liverpool spent a lot of final season chasing Metropolis — the very last thing they need is that very same feeling early within the new marketing campaign.

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Nunez cameo excites … however damage issues deepen

Nunez marked his Premier League debut with a aim and an help to salvage some extent and carry a Liverpool show that was badly missing inspiration previous to his 59th-minute introduction.

Each had been fortuitous: his aim, simply 13 minutes after approaching, got here as he tried an improvised flick just for Tosin Adarabioyo to show the ball onto Nunez with the ricochet flying previous Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak. The 23-year-old’s help for Salah’s equaliser got here as he tried to gather Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ahead move solely to the touch the ball into the Egyptian’s path for a tap-in. However each moments had been merchandise of his motion and power. it could solely be a matter of time earlier than he begins.

Klopp was involved about Liverpool’s damage issues earlier than kick-off — Caoimhin Kelleher, Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kostas Tsimikas and Curtis Jones are all unavailable — and Thiago Alcantara might now be added to that record. The midfielder limped off six minutes into the second half with what gave the impression to be a hamstring drawback.

Alexander-Arnold caught out once more

There isn’t a doubting Alexander-Arnold is likely one of the finest full-backs on this planet with the ball at his ft however these nagging doubts about his defensive capacity will persist after being caught out for Fulham’s opening aim.

Kenny Tete’s cross was excellent however Alexander-Arnold was not alive to the hazard on the again submit as Mitrovic squeezed a header previous Alisson.

Liverpool completed final season by dropping the Champions League last to a Actual Madrid aim which owed a lot to a different lapse in focus from Alexander-Arnold. It’s a lesson he must be taught in any other case additional injury can be inflicted.

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Participant scores

Fulham: Rodak 7, Tete 8, Adarabioyo 7, Ream 8, Robinson 7, Reed 8, Palhinha 7, Reid 7, Pereira 8, Kebano 8, Mitrovic 9.
Subs: Solomon 6, Cairney 6, Duffy 6.

Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 6, Matip 6, van Dijk 6, Robertson 7, Henderson 6, Fabinho 6, Thiago 6, Salah 7, Firmino 5, Diaz 6.
Subs: Elliott 7, Nunez 8, Milner 6, Carvalho 6.

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Key Stats (supplied by ESPN Stats & Data)

That is the one the second time that Liverpool has began a Premier League season with a draw in opposition to a newly promoted facet. The opposite was in 2006-07 when Liverpool drew 1-1 at Sheffield United and completed third.

Darwin Nunez has now scored in each of his first two video games since signing from Liverpool from Benfica this summer season. He’s the primary Liverpool participant aged 23 years or youthful to attain in a Premier League season opener since Philippe Coutinho in 2015

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Up subsequent

Fulham: The Cottagers can be on the street subsequent Saturday after they head north to tackle Wolverhampton Wanderers, then it is the large native derby in opposition to Brentford at Craven Cottage on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Liverpool: There is a behind-closed-doors pleasant on Sunday in opposition to Aston Villa, with Liverpool subsequent in aggressive motion on consecutive Mondays, in opposition to Crystal Palace at Anfield on Monday, Aug. 15 and a visit to Manchester United on Aug. 22.