Liverpool struggled to get going on the first weekend of the new Premier League season, with Fulham earning a deserved draw in west London.
Here’s how Jurgen Klopp‘s Liverpool team fared at Craven Cottage…
The goal could have been better, but there was little time to react. I went the correct route for the penalty but couldn’t keep it out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (4 points)
Bullied at the back post by Aleksandar Mitrovic for Fulham opener and unable to provide the usual attacking threat.
Joel Matip 5
Hesitancy allowed Mitrovic chance in the opening minute and looked a yard off it throughout.
Virgil van Dijk 5
Left a leg dangling as Mitrovic won a penalty, for all contact was minimal.
Crucial block to deny Harrison Reed on the volley and almost set up two big chances with terrific deliveries from the left.
Fabinho 5
Not used to being overrun in midfield but was for the best part of an hour here before being replaced.
Jordan Henderson 6
Down injured as Fulham broke for the opener and rightly aggrieved not to have had a free-kick. Almost won it when striking the bar with a brilliant hit in stoppage time.
Thiago Alcantara 5
Crunched between two Fulham players in early exchanges which set the tone for an afternoon on which he wasn’t given an inch. Off injured soon after the break.
Luis Diaz 6
Nailed early on by rash Kenny Tete challenge but grew and struck the post with sharp effort. Liverpool’s best attacking outlet in the first half.
Roberto Firmino 4
Never involved and lasted six minutes after the break before Klopp turned to Nunez. Not the kind of performance you want when you’re trying to keep an £85million signing out of the side.
Mohamed Salah 7
A remarkably subdued first hour of the season for one of last season’s standout players but came alive and teed up the first leveler before scoring the second himself.
Substitutes
Harvey Elliott (Thiago 51’) 5
Booed on against his former club and did not have much of an impact.
Made a huge difference. Tried to square for Diaz when should have shot, then thwarted by Rodak from close range but took goal brilliantly with a smart finish and had another cleared off the line before setting up Salah’s tap-in. A busy cameo.
Fabinho (James Milner) 6
Given a warmer reception than Elliott, he whipped the volley just over the bar.
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