Liverpool 2-2 Fulham 
by James Nalton
at Anfield

FOLLOWING Liverpool’s win against Girona on Tuesday, Reds manager Arne Slot was heavily critical of his team’s performance despite the 1-0 result in Spain to maintain their perfect record in the Champions League.

“I’m really pleased with the way we played in the first five games, but I’m far from pleased about the performance tonight,” he said in his post-match press conference, repeating a similar line at any opportunity on other media channels.

Following a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham on Sunday, however, Slot could not have been more pleased with the effort his players put in, despite them not picking up the win.

An early goal from Fulham scored by Andreas Pereira and a red card for Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson changed the outlook of the game to one where Liverpool were happy with a point, and they had to work hard to get it.

Fulham took the lead twice in the game, first through Pereira, whose goal was cancelled out just after half-time when Mohamed Salah crossed for Cody Gakpo to score a diving header, and then again through Rodrigo Muniz with the excellent left-back Antonee Robinson assisting both Fulham goals.

Slot introduced Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez midway through the second half, and it was them who produced the important second equaliser for Liverpool. 

Nunez fed Jota who reminded us he’s the best finisher at the club, which was a welcome sight for Liverpool fans after the Portuguese had been out injured since October.

“I was very, very, very pleased with the performance and couldn’t have asked for more,” Slot said of his players after the game, despite them dropping points.

It was in contrast to the Girona game where he’d not been pleased despite the win, but here the Dutchman took the positives from what was an exciting game at an atmospheric Anfield on Saturday afternoon.