Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)placeholder image
Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool conceded moments after Joe Gomez replaced Cody Gakpo in their 2-2 draw against Fulham.
Arne Slot admitted that Liverpool were ‘underloaded’ when they conceded their stoppage-time equaliser against Fulham - but gave credit to Harrison Reed’s strike.
The Reds had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage, despite having appeared to have won the clash. After Florian Wirtz restored parity for the visitors in the second half, cancelling out Cottagers midfielder Harry Wilson’s first-half opener, Cody Gakpo netted for Liverpool in the 94th minute. Gakpo’s effort sparked jubilant celebrations, with the Netherlands international then withdrawn for defender Joe Gomez to protect the lead.
However, it was a decision that did not work. On 97 minutes, Fulham were awarded a throw-in and Liverpool expected it to go long into their box. However, the Cottagers instead recycled it back to Reed, who was unmarked when 35 yards from goal. Reed was put under no pressure, pulled the trigger and picked out the top corner to level and leave the Reds crestfallen.
Asked if Liverpool’s players were guilty of dropping to deep and allowing Reed to shoot, head coach Slot replied: “That is true, but we've conceded throw-ins and set-pieces quite a lot this season. We have a certain set-up, which the players did, and if the long throw comes in, I think we had the box very well covered. Ideally indeed when then they don't take it long, we come out earlier and faster, but you have to give credit to that incredible strike as well because what are the odds that a ball from over there goes in? I don't think a lot. I think xG-wise this is not a big chance, but we do concede.
“We made an offensive substitution to win the game with bringing Federico Chiesa in and then a few times this season we kept it like it was and then we conceded against Leeds and then you ask yourself if you should've brought in an extra defender. The moment we concede the throw-in [we have] Joe Gomez, who is really good in the air for a long throw, but they took it short and we were underloaded over there. But again, I don't think you see this goal being scored a lot. You have to give credit to the player as well.”
Liverpool have had a frustrating season and their Premier League title defence has been insipid. Against Fulham, they dropped points for a 10th time in their 20th league game, A win would have given them a five-point cushion in fourth spot yet they drew for successive matches.
Slot confessed: “I think if you are not a part of Liverpool and you don't follow us every game then you think you win it. But unfortunately, I am experiencing this for months now that the first chance the other team gets and the only chance they got in the first half led to a goal. That's one thing we usually see with us. The second thing we see a lot is that that the other team scores a goal you don't expect in extra time, so this is then a surprise.”
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