Liverpool displayed their mental fragilities yet again as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Fulham.
The Reds thought they had come from behind to win the Craven Cottage encounter in stoppage-time yet conceded moments later as their wait for a win in 2026 continues.
Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo netted for Arne Slot’s side but Harrison Read’s thunderbolt meant that the Premier League champions dropped more points.
Liverpool had a clear-cut chance to open the scoring in the 11th minute when Curtis Jones set Cody Gakpo free but his heavy touch forced him away from goal and dragged his shot wide.
Despite dominating possession, the Reds fell behind on 17 minutes when Fulham engineered their first opportunity. Harry Wilson, who came through Liverpool’s academy, fired a low shot into the far corner and despite the offside flag initially being raised, a VAR review deemed the Wales international had timed his run to perfection.
For the remainder of the first half, the visitors lacked any real ideas. Gako did send a header against the post but he was deemed offside anyway.
Liverpool started to tighten their grip in the second half, with Alexis Mac Allister heading against the bar from a corner. And while VAR was to their detriment in the opening 45 minutes, it came to the Reds’ aid. Wirtz applied a fine first-time finish in the 57th minute but the flag went up. However, after a lengthy review, the Germany international was deemed in an onside position and Slot;’s men were awarded an equaliser,
On 63 minutes, Gakpo flashed a 25-yard effort just wide and then he skipped into the box but chose to shot rather than try to pick out a team-mate, crashing into the side netting.
But Fulham showed they still carried a threat and went agonisingly close to regaining the lead when Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker couldn’t keep hold of the ball when rushing off his line and Wilson went for goal but kissed the crossbar,
In stoppage-time, Liverpool thought they had won it when the ball fell for Gakpo at the back post and he managed to squirm home. But there was more late drama, with Reed given acres to shoot and that he did - sending his shot into the top corner to send the home faithful into raptures.
Liverpool have drawn both games since the turn of the year, although they are nine matches unbeaten and stay fourth in the table.
Liverpool player ratings vs Fulham
No chance with Wilson's opener and otherwise untested in the first half. Fumbled when off his line for Wilson's shot that hit the bar. Couldn't do anything about Reed's strike.
1. Alisson Becker - 6
No chance with Wilson's opener and otherwise untested in the first half. Fumbled when off his line for Wilson's shot that hit the bar. Couldn't do anything about Reed's strike. | Getty Images
Hesitated to whip in a cross in a decent position in the first half and didn't offer too much else. Played with more intensity after the break, though, and engineered the equaliser.
2. Conor Bradley - 6
Hesitated to whip in a cross in a decent position in the first half and didn't offer too much else. Played with more intensity after the break, though, and engineered the equaliser. | Getty Images
Solid in the first half. Same again in the second half. Another imperious performance.
3. Ibrahima Konate - 8
Solid in the first half. Same again in the second half. Another imperious performance. | Getty Images
Failed to step out with the rest of the defence leaving Wilson onside to open the scoring. Mopped up what was needed in the second half including the rebound from Wilson's shot that hit the bar.
4. Virgil van Dijk - 6
Failed to step out with the rest of the defence leaving Wilson onside to open the scoring. Mopped up what was needed in the second half including the rebound from Wilson's shot that hit the bar. | Getty Images