LIVERPOOL 2-2 FULHAM: The Premier League leaders looked to be on their way to their second defeat of the season but Diogo Jota came off the bench to secure an unlikely point for the Reds
Arne Slot
Arne Slot did his best Jurgen Klopp impression vs Fulham
(
Image: Getty Images)
News
Politics
Football
Celebs
TV
Strictly
Shopping
Royals
For a moment, Arne Slot was in danger of going full Jurgen, berating anyone who bore a passing resemblance to an official in a technical-area tantrum Klopp would have been proud of.
For a moment, it looked like the Premier League was getting to cool, calm, measured Arne - and Liverpool fans LOVED it. If the Dutchman thought he could keep a lid on excessive passion when in charge of a title-chasing Liverpool side, he was very much mistaken.
Slot will now serve a one-match touchline ban for the ranting, raving and arm-waving that earned him a yellow card but that will be of little concern to him. The Liverpool boss might even fancy an afternoon in the stands, with a brew.
And when the dust settled on a lively, fractious, hugely enjoyable contest, Slot must have been toasting an unlikely point. This was a match Fulham probably should have won, this is a match in which the visitors’ indecision in the final third cost them dear.
Premier League issue two Andy Robertson statements after Liverpool star sent off
[
Liverpool fans fume as ex-Man Utd star avoids red card before scoring opener](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-fulham-andreas-pereira-red-34314456)
But this was a match in which Liverpool - down to ten men for most of the match - showed their spirit, showed their grit, showed their class. This was a match in which Liverpool showed the credentials of a title favourite.
No wonder Slot was animated. No wonder he threw himself into a celebrating scrum of staff when Diogo Jota made it two apiece. He knew this was a point against the odds, particularly after the slackest of starts.
Considering they have not been without their injury concerns in that department, Liverpool’s defensive record this season has been quite remarkable. But a lot of their solidity was based on the partnership between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate and while they have coped well without the latter - who is hoping to be back before the end of December - the Premier League leaders have looked a little more vulnerable in his absence.
And that was certainly the case against a Fulham team that is normally highly skilled in the art of counter-attacking. Marco Silva’s demeanour and track record is not to everyone’s liking but what he is proving at Fulham is that he is capable of getting the best out of players who have spent several seasons failing to fulfil their potential.
Arne Slot was disgruntled come the full-time whistle at Anfield (
Image:
Getty Images)
Who was Liverpool's man-of-the-match vs Fulham? Share your thoughts in the comments below
And two of that type, Harry Wilson and Antonee Robinson, were involved in the move that led to the Andreas Pereira opener. Wilson had a big reputation as a youngster at Anfield but never made a league appearance and six loan spells in eight years suggested the early hype was not quite justified.
But to say he has blossomed under Silva at Fulham is an understatement. Tethered to the tidiest of left boots is an impressive awareness to most sorts of attacking opportunities.
And that is what proved to be Andy Robertson’s final undoing, Wilson sensing the left-back’s awkwardness, picking his pocket and drawing the red-card foul. For the remainder of the half, Fulham, understandably, were comfortable but not clinical and, to a certain extent, that was their problem.
But even a depleted Liverpool do not let anyone feel comfortable at Anfield for long. Mohamed Salah produced his one moment of magic - his 100th Liverpool assist, this time for Cody Gakpo - before a wonderful late finish from substitute Jota cancelled out the Rodrigo Muniz flick that had put the visitors back in front.
Diogo Jota celebrates his equaliser against Fulham
(
Image:
Getty Images)
That second goal, by the way, featured a second assist for Robinson, the game’s outstanding player. Robinson was startlingly tireless but that applied to the majority of players out there.
That is why Slot must have been proud. Slot knows he has the odd issue to address, not least in that left-back position - he would love to have Robinson in his ranks, for sure.
And on the face of it, this looks like a minor Liverpool blip. But Slot should see it as no such thing. And if, on an afternoon when he threatened to become a Klopp throwback, he had gone the whole chest-beating hog, you would not have blamed him.
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package £46 (was £56)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.