uk.sports.yahoo.com

Reed’s rocket rescues Fulham point and denies Liverpool in thrilling finish

Perhaps they underestimated Harrison Reed. Certainly there was little reaction when the ball came back to the Fulham substitute with 96 minutes gone at Craven Cottage. Liverpool simply stood off Reed, almost daring the midfielder to shoot, and were made to regret their lack of urgency when one of Fulham’s more unfashionable players rescued a point for Marco Silva’s stubborn side by ripping a stunning shot into Alisson Becker’s top corner.

It was only the popular 30-year-old’s fourth goal in six years in west London, and it said a lot about the state of Liverpool this season. The champions, after all, had just gone 2-1 up through Cody Gakpo and should have defended their lead with more determination. Instead their complacency gave Fulham hope and left Arne Slot’s side ruing a missed opportunity to tighten their grip on fourth place.

Related:Manchester City v Chelsea: Premier League – live

Not that Liverpool had played well enough to merit a win. They lacked attacking inspiration with Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké missing and needed fine margins to help them restore parity after a poor first half. There was surprise when Florian Wirtz, who has two goals and an assist in his last four games, was deemed a shade onside when he cancelled out Harry Wilson’s early goal.

Ekitiké’s unexpected absence with a minor injury forced Liverpool to contend without £194m of forward talent. They were already without Isak, sidelined with a broken leg, and the worry for Slot was surely that his team had only 12 league goals between them at the start of play.

The Dutchman had adjusted by using Gakpo as the central striker, with Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wirtz offering support from attacking midfield, but the ploy proved ineffective for much of a tepid first half. Shorn of natural width with Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool were too slow in possession. They fell into the trap of playing in front of Fulham, who were happy to sit back and absorb long spells of aimless pressure, and failed to test Bernd Leno before half-time.

It was a reminder that having the lion’s share of possession is not always the answer. Fulham lined up in a back five and made the most of very little by pouncing in the 17th minute. There was a beautiful flick round the corner from Raúl Jiménez to befuddle Liverpool’s back four and, with Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley not alive to the danger on the right, Wilson ran through to ram a lethal shot beyond Alisson.

Liverpool thought they had a reprieve when the flag went up for offside. Replays, though, suggested that Wilson had timed his run perfectly. A video assistant referee check commenced and confirmed that the Fulham winger, who came through Liverpool’s academy before leaving four years ago, had been played onside by Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.

Fulham’s plan was proving effective. Yet it was easier to hold their shape when Liverpool were failing to make enough runs off the ball. Only Gakpo threatened. The forward looped one header against the post – it was hard to tell if he was onside – and was less than clinical when he scuffed a clear chance wide at 0-0.

More urgency was required – and Liverpool responded. They pushed at the start of the second half and flung more crosses into Fulham’s area. Alexis Mac Allister, unmarked at the near post, was unlucky when his header smacked the bar from a corner.

Liverpool’s mentality had transformed. There was more urgency to the press. Bradley stepped in to win possession high before charging into dangerous territory. Fulham backtracked and allowed the right-back to finish his run by poking the ball through to Wirtz, who guided a lovely shot past Leno.

Yet controversy followed. The flag went up for offside and at first glance it seemed that Wirtz was just beyond Issa Diop. The check, though, was longer than anticipated and there was surprise when the goal was given. The official explanation? Thicker lines are being used to assess in the Premier League this season and more benefit of the doubt is being given to attackers.

Liverpool were grateful for the help. They almost led when Gakpo fired just wide from 20 yards but they could have gone behind again when Jiménez forced an error from Alisson and Wilson lobbed against the bar when the ball ran loose.

It seemed Fulham’s hearts were broken when a fizzing cross from the Liverpool substitute Jeremie Frimpong beat Joachim Andersen and reached Gakpo, who scored from close range.

But Fulham came back. Two substitutes combined. Kevin rolled a pass back to Reed, who took a touch before sending a shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

Read full news in source page