Liverpool faced Fulham at Anfield for the highly anticipated Premier League clash, where the two teams played to a dramatic 2-2 draw on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The result came as Fulham stunned the hosts with early and late strikes, forcing Liverpool to battle hard to secure just one point.
Fulham took the lead early on, with Andreas Pereira scoring the first goal of the match just 11 minutes after kickoff. Pereira received a delightful cross from Antonee Robinson, which he skillfully converted with a precise shot inside the box, sending shockwaves through the Anfield crowd.
Things worsened for Liverpool when their left-back, Andy Robertson, received a straight red card for fouling Fulham's attacker, leaving the home side to play with ten men as early as the 17th minute. This setback tested Liverpool’s resolve, yet they remained determined to respond.
The turning point came just after halftime; Mohamed Salah, who has been instrumental for Liverpool this season, delivered a pinpoint cross which Cody Gakpo converted to equalize the match at 1-1 mere seconds after the second half began.
Despite the momentum, Fulham regained their lead, with Rodrigo Muniz scoring the second goal for the visitors at the 76th minute. Muniz made the most of Robinson's grounded pass to slip past Liverpool's defense and find the back of the net, placing Liverpool once again at a disadvantage.
Late drama unfolded as Diego Jota, coming off the bench, became Liverpool's savior by netting the second equalizer, making the score 2-2 with only four minutes left to play. The substitution proved pivotal as Jota capitalized on Darwin Núñez's assist to deliver his team the much-needed point.
With this draw, Liverpool leads the Premier League table with 36 points, maintaining their position as one of the season's frontrunners, having recorded 11 wins, three draws, and one loss up to this point. Meanwhile, Fulham, sitting ninth with 25 points, can take away positives from their display, particularly their first-half performance.
Throughout the match, Mohamed Salah’s contributions were noteworthy, especially as he registered his 100th assist with his delivery to Gakpo. The Egyptian star remains among the league's top performers, bringing his season tally to 13 goals and 9 assists, leading the scoring charts alongside Erling Haaland of Manchester City.
Both managers, Liverpool's Arne Slot and Fulham's Marco Silva, were visibly emotional during the match, with Silva proud of his team's capabilities to challenge at Anfield and Slot focused on addressing the issues revealed by the red card and the inconsistencies after their dominant start.
Overall, the match encapsulated the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, with both teams showcasing skills, tenacity, and their desire to earn every possible point. Liverpool's struggle reflects the challenges they face this season, especially after their recent draw against Newcastle United, raising questions about their ability to maintain form under pressure. On the other hand, Fulham will aim to build on this performance as they look to improve their standing as the season progresses.
This draw signifies both teams' current trajectories and sets the stage for what’s to come as they continue to battle for their respective positions within the league.
