[Liverpool](https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/) entered this match hoping to take all three points and keeping pressure on Arsenal and Chelsea in the chase for the Premier League title. They ended the match likely relieved - if a bit disappointed - to take the draw in a match that Liverpool could have lost due to an early red card given to Andrew Robertson. Liverpool did enough, down a man, to warrant that disappointment in not nabbing the full bag, undoubtedly fans are fine with this result. Let’s take a look at how things came together.
**Talking Tactics**
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In response to going down a man, Ryan Gravenberch was asked to pull back into the centerback with Joe Gomez shifted to left back. And, to be honest, it looked a terrific move by Arne Slot. Especially given that the most obvious option after Andy Robertson’s sending off would have been to bring Jarrell Quansah on for one of the midfield trio.
But Gravenberch’s performance at center back seemed to settle the squad and managed to ensure that the legs and attacking nous of both Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai were preserved on the pitch. Gravenberch has been one of the obvious standouts this season and this felt like another strong moment as he was pressed into an awkward position due to the circumstances of the match. Major props to him for standing up and being counted.
**Dissecting the Narrative**
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Taking a bit of a swerve from broad narratives to discuss one that came up for me, in-match: how Liverpool approached playing 70+minutes while down a man. Not tactically, which we handled above, but rather that Liverpool mostly stayed on the front foot. It was uneven, to be sure, and Liverpool’s final third play could generously be described as sloppy. But Liverpool did pin Fulham back.
In fact, for decent stretches of the match, Liverpool looked like the team with the man advantage as Fulham seemed content to soak up pressure. By the end of the match, only one team looked likely to score and that was 10-man Liverpool.
The disappointment ringing around Anfield was built on that obvious intent, with the Reds clearly putting the foot on the gas. Watching Harvey Elliott, for example, urge the Anfield crowd to cheer the team on, was reflective of the team’s mentality throughout the match: we don’t believe losing is an inevitability.
In the end, the team’s stubborn nature ensured we at least split the points. It’s early yet, but this is the type of performance that champions look back on.
**What Happens Next**
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Arsenal drew to [Everton](https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com) today, so that helps. The Chelsea match tomorrow is what is now the big view, with the Blues looking to draw to within two points of the Liverpool at the top of the table; albeit with the Reds owning a game in hand. Here’s hoping the Blues end their run of form and drop a few points.