LIVERPOOL HEAD coach Arne Slot lost his cool but the returning Diogo Jota retained his with a clinical late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham and extend the Premier League leaders’ unbeaten run to 19 matches.
Andy Robertson’s first-half red card saw the hosts play more than 82 minutes with 10 men but backed by a fevered Anfield atmosphere they made light of their numerical advantage.
They were rewarded for their positive approach as Jota came off the bench after an 11-match injury absence to score in a dramatic finish.
However, the performance of referee Tony Harrington tested the patience of the usually calm Slot and his third booking of the season means he will serve a touchline ban at Tottenham next weekend.
The Reds head coach had criticised the lack of energy in Tuesday’s Champions League win in Girona but after the sending off his side raised the tempo and their game as they harried and hassled Fulham and were eventually rewarded with Cody Gakpo’s equalising diving header.
Robertson had been culpable for Andreas Pereira’s 11th-minute opener and his attempt to recover from a poor touch succeeded only in bringing down Harry Wilson, which Harrington deemed to be a denial of a goalscoring opportunity even though the ball had rolled to Raul Jimenez who shot over.
The Scotland captain had been at the centre of the action for the short time he was on the field as in only the second minute he was caught by a high boot by Issa Diop who was only booked by Harrington, setting the tone for what was to follow.
But he allowed Pereira to find space at the far post to volley Antonee Robinson’s cross, which the left-back deflected past goalkeeper Alisson Becker for the first goal at Anfield in seven hours and 20 minutes. However, his second mistake was even more costly.
What followed was more chaos than Slot had witnessed in all of his previous 22 matches as a short-lived switch to a back three, with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch dropping back, was quickly abandoned as Joe Gomez moved to left-back and Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to his defensive position on the opposite flank.
The control which Slot demands was lacking with even the mild-mannered Gomez getting into a scuffle with Kenny Tete with both fortunate to escape without cautions, another baffling decision by Harrington.
But with the Liverpool boss maintaining his bold approach, eschewing the option of putting on another defender, Liverpool stepped up the pressure but had only Luis Diaz’s header over to show for their first-half efforts as Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic did a brilliant blocking job in front of back four.
However, two minutes into the second half, Mohamed Salah cut in from the right and curled a cross to the far post where Gakpo scored his seventh in 10 matches, with the Netherlands international then forcing Bernd Leno into a low save.
Salah’s customary instincts in front of goal deserted him when he drove wide in a four-on-two attack and when Liverpool needed their star performer most the Egypt international, who had given Robinson a testing time in the first half, was found wanting.
That miss looked pivotal when substitute Rodrigo Muniz deflected in Robinson’s cross 14 minutes from time and after Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez both sent efforts wide, Jota proved his long injury lay-off had dulled none of his predatory instincts by sending Leno the wrong way from the middle of the penalty area.
Alisson’s save from Adama Traore safeguarded the point and with Everton doing their neighbours a favour by drawing at Arsenal, Liverpool stretched their lead at the top to five with second-placed Chelsea hosting Brentford on Sunday.
Great game for Slot in fairness, adapted really well to everything that happened and gave them a chance.
@Sambo: so a draw at home to Fulham with a late equaliser is a great game for sloth are all Liverpool fans a bit touched.
@paulie: your lot are 13th in the table, 17 points behind chief. Sshh now.
@Brendan Crowley: who’s my lot benny.
@paulie: oh yeah, sure.
@Graham: what’s that kavie.
@paulie: your a bitter Man u fan simple as! So do yourself a favour a …. off
@paulie: give it over you, must think we’re all as thick as you.
Maybe it’s a match you’d hope to be winning, but in the circumstances, not losing is a good trait to have. Maybe a signing or two needed but all in all, being hard to beat is not a bad place to be. Not delighted, but not too disappointed either
@Michael Mullins: Spot on Michael … Very difficult team to beat.
@Michael Mullins: hope to be winning it’s Fulham at home mickie stop acting it .
@paulie: the same Fulham that got a point from Arsenal, a point from Spurs, beat Brighton, beat Brentford, beat Forest, beat Newcastle. Give it a rest Paulie boy
@Michael Mullins: Ask him to tell you who he supports without telling you who he supports.
@Michael Mullins: Liverpool are better than all those sides mickie.
@Michael Mullins: the same Fulham that united beat
@robbie Delaney: first game of season, when they won the league.
@Michael Mullins: as a Chelsea fan have they any chance just asking your thoughts
@Graham: hey united beat Fulham at home this season liverpool didn’t that’s all I’m saying
@robbie Delaney: That they did Robbie. Now I’m sure pretty much all, bar one, united supporter would say Liverpool are a better team than Utd currently. But what everyone, bar one, understands is that on their day any team can beat another team. And that is the beauty of football.
@robbie Delaney: Why u bringing utd into this ye are awfull
@robbie Delaney: And liverpool thrashed utd 3nil is all im saying
@Shanie: it makes a change shanie cause most of my life liverpool were awful, swinds and roundabouts amigo
@paulie: actually Liverpool are better than everyone so far this season Paulie. The table tells us that. At the end of the season, the best team is top. So far nobody has won every game. So yeah it’s not a bad result given the red card etc. Of course you know that, but you’re just looking to get a rise out of people
@Joe O’Connell: I think any side that keep winning have a chance Joe and Chelsea are making a habit of getting results. I think there are some problems though too. For me, the squad is too bloated and I’d worry about that. Sanchez is suspect too. As I said though, I wouldn’t write them off at all. I’d say Arsenal and Chelsea are probably on a par in terms of winning it at the moment
@robbie Delaney: yup, one of the 5 teams that United have beaten in the league this season
@robbie Delaney: and most of my and other people’s lives they weren’t, they were the standard bearers.
@Brendan Crowley: Don’t be talking sense now Brendan ….. Robbie is quoting a lot of historical facts lately ….. To be fair that’s all they have to clutch to.
Behind twice and with ten men will happily settle for a point although the glass half full guy will be out no doubt.Still five clear!
@John arse: you have to settle for a point it’s what a draw gets talking through your sir name again Johnny.
@paulie: Stop taking bollox will ya-you know well what I mean.
@paulie: obessed on everything liverpool
@John arse: oh I absolutely no what you mean and it’s absolute silliness a draw at home against a team 8 places and 12 points behind at 3 o’clock is not a good result.
@John arse: No, I don’t think he understands sayings and their usage in language. An autistic level of comprehension. Everything has to be literal or whoosh, over the head.
@paulie: Pity you can’t spell!
@John arse: ah jasis Johnny really hahaha.
@ecrowley ecrowley: fully understand sayins and saying a draw at home against Fulham with a late goal is anything other than a good result it’s autistic level of stupid eric.
@paulie: Even your reply is incorrect. Your man said something like he’d take a draw. It’s a saying. Usually used when a draw is a good result UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. Either you don’t understand the saying or you misunderstood what he said altogether.
@ecrowley ecrowley: a draw against Fulham at home who started 8 places and 12 points behind at ko is never a good result under any circumstances unless it’s Liverpool of course then it’s a fantastic result strange behaviour from very strange people.
@paulie: Ok, you don’t understand football or sayings.
@ecrowley ecrowley: no point in anything this dope Paulie says ? He’s an abouselt bell end who knows abouselty nottin about football? Just a tool
@colin coady: I’m all for a bit of banter but it’s like talking to a 5 year old. And when a fella can’t even be honest about who he supports…
@ecrowley ecrowley: you know who he supports.Ive no hassle with genuine utd supports but this guy is so annoying and tbh hasn’t a clue
@colin coady: On the ball chief.
@ecrowley ecrowley: Don’t waste your time on that complete and utter b*lle*d,he has a serious hard on for Liverpool but never says why,he’s a man utd supporter but hides behind real Madrid.
@colin coady: he only comes out on it when Liverpool lose and Man Utd win on same day. Therefore it rarely happens.
Good point again ten men great spirit 5 points ahead
@Shanie: scrambling a draw at home against a team 12 points behind at ko is a terrible result seanie stop typing manure kido.
@paulie: Spin it Paulie spin spin spin!
@paulie: Great point down to 10 men 5 points clear unlike manure utd
@John arse: oh no that’s what you lunatics do.
@Max: Well said max im not even going to reply to the child
@Shanie: thankfully I won’t have to read your nonsense.
@Shanie: shanie I’m disappointed in you , you won’t reply to a child but you’ll reply to someone that says manure united he has to be a kid with them words. It’s like a kid saying loserpool or liVARpool
@robbie Delaney: hes a bit special is seanie and he’ll reply to me alright he simply won’t be able to resist.
If this is our blip in form I’ll take it, still not losing games, still top of the league, 5 pints clear with a game in hand.
Could be worse, could support one of those teams in Manchester, 2 finished clubs.
@damien leen: They battle ot out tomorrow they red half are confused as to either wear their City jersey or United jersey …. They will blame the loss on their giant European slaying of some team I never heard of in their European B league mid table battle.
@damien leen: even a blip is acceptable are all Liverpool fans a bit touched in the head.
@David Shepherd: the best blip in world football.
@David Shepherd: wee shep and DH damo are celebrating a great draw at home to the mighty Fulham. And they still are utterly obsessed with United. When United where top dogs and Liverpool no where to be seen not once did I think about them only when they played each other but not these lads. Just proves how fergue ruined there childhoods.
@Dessie: You support Utd…a banter Club in 13th..
We’re top of the league, end of conversation sunshine but do feel free to keep blithering on, you’re hysterical!
@damien leen: He was saying Onana was a top keeper after Thursday nights euro giant killing.
@David Shepherd: DH damo please note I have blocked you and your nasty wee comments. But you rant away big boy
@damien leen: We conquered all of Europe……..
@Dessie: Who’s Fergue???
@John arse: arse John. The spelling czar
@Dessie: Czar eh, I’d say you double checked that before posting,Mr I.Q!
@John arse: I say you’re just great fun to be around arse John.
The capitulation begins
@Joe Beirne: who United???
@Joe Beirne: Ah no, Fulham will build on from this!
Savage performance they never gave up or even looked like they were playing with 10 men. Some questionable referee decisions….. Fulham should have at least 1 red also. Can’t complain about Robertson’s red.
@David Shepherd: savage a good man shep haaahaaa.
@paulie: You won’t be around tomorrow will you Paulie?
@David Shepherd: what’s happening tomorrow shep.
@paulie: Oh you’re well aware just too embarrassed to admit it.
@David Shepherd: what are you saying shep.
@David Shepherd: I bet you and that other tool Damo be watching united tomorrow you never miss a united game
@robbie Delaney: I like a good game of football Robbie ….. You must be confused tomorrow like 99% of other United fans ….. What jersey will you have on tomorrow your City jersey or your United jersey?
@David Shepherd: why in the name of jesus would I have a city jersey on. Come on man
@robbie Delaney: Well to stop Liverpool winning the league you’d happily lose to the only team in Manchester tomorrow. You secretly know it just won’t admit it.
@David Shepherd: do you get drug tested in work shep.
@David Shepherd: no I would not be happy for city to win the match Liverpool will lose it all by themselves
@robbie Delaney: I look forward to the banter with you tomorrow Robbie.
@David Shepherd: me to hopefully it’ll all be aimed at you
@robbie Delaney: I had to give you a like there for that one. That made me laugh. You can spin it both ways now happy if United win happy to see City gain ground.
Konate is such a loss defensively in that team. Covers so much on the right side for trent as was again evident today. Liverpool need to invest in a left full back in January and possibly both full back positions if they want to win the league imo
@David Reidy: agree TAA defensive ability and game awareness exposed today, he knows Liverpool a man down so should be going forward a little less but was constantly caught out of position. Robertson being so out of form this season, should have done better for the goal and obviously should never have put himself in that position to get sent off. Antonee Robinson looks like a good player and an option I would like to see as a LB signing. Liverpool have to be happy with the draw given how game went, great work ethic and hard to beat. Great to have Jota back. Spurs away next going to be a tough game. Lots of twists and turns left in title race, Chelsea looking good though
Two poor teams
@Billy Bell: ok we’ll leave it there brains
Started a game at home v weak opponents without a centre forward says all that’s needed about the Uruguayan donkey.
@paulie: bang on Paulie
@paulie: What
@Max: read it again maxi kid.
@robbie Delaney: You lot are playing the premier league whipping boys tomorrow let’s see how you get on ….. Hopefully the 100 million Fidget spinner Anthony plays …… You are favourites now after beating European giants whatever their name was Thursday night.
@David Shepherd: here that Fulham team you lot drew with is that the same Fulham team that united beat with ten hag as a manager
@robbie Delaney: Robbie grow up if Paulie is your go to guy here God help us
@robbie Delaney: If we lose to Bayern Munich in Europe you can quote the 1999 cup final next.
@robbie Delaney: Robbie these lads can’t take facts they spend there time on feelings and can’t bear the taught that another slippy g moment could derail another league title won by the time Santa arrives
@Dessie: Here’s a fact for you Dessie …. United spent money on the most expensive premier league squad ever assembled to finish mid table / cup team ….. Mid table in European B league …. Don’t let those facts get in the way of your facts.
Again great spirit from liverpool and fulhum were great robbo gives away lots of pens now sent off mayby give him a few games break take the point 5 ahead