Arne Slot's Liverpool suffered another devastating late blow in their turbulent season, conceding a 97th-minute wonder-strike to draw 2-2 with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Dramatic Finale Denies Liverpool Victory
Just moments after substitute Cody Gakpo thought he had secured a precious away win with a 95th-minute goal, Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed produced a moment of pure magic. The long-serving substitute, who has scored just four times in six years at the club, unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard rocket into the top corner, sending the home support into raptures and silencing the travelling Liverpool fans.
The equaliser arrived in the 97th minute, cruelly denying Liverpool what seemed like a hard-fought three points. The Reds had shown resilience to fight back from Harry Wilson's first-half opener, with Florian Wirtz levelling the scores in the 57th minute before Gakpo's dramatic late intervention.
A Tale of Tight VAR Margins
The match was heavily influenced by video assistant referee decisions, with both Fulham's opener and Liverpool's equaliser undergoing lengthy checks. Wilson's 26th-minute goal was initially flagged for offside, but VAR showed he was played on by Virgil van Dijk's shoulder, allowing the strike to stand.
The technology was needed again when Wirtz found the net. Another offside flag was raised, but after a protracted review, the £116m midfielder's goal was given. The use of the Premier League's semi-automated technology and thicker lines to benefit the attacker proved decisive in both calls.
Frustration Mounts for Slot's Inconsistent Side
This result represents another missed opportunity for Liverpool in their quest for a top-four finish. The team's inconsistency and defensive vulnerability were again on display, exacerbated by attacking absences. Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah, and Alexander Isak were all unavailable, forcing Gakpo into a central role with Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai in support.
Fulham, who took a point at Anfield last season and beat Liverpool during the title run-in, again proved to be a thorn in Slot's side. Marco Silva's team had previously pushed Manchester City close in a nine-goal thriller and demonstrated similar spirit here.
For Liverpool, the narrative of a season plagued by sloppiness and an inability to hold onto leads continues. Despite flashes of quality, particularly from the improving Wirtz who now has two goals and an assist in his last four league games, defensive frailties when under pressure cost them dearly once more. As the final whistle blew, it was Fulham and the spectacular Harrison Reed who stole the headlines, leaving Liverpool to ponder another painful lesson in a chaotic campaign.
