Liverpool's Premier League ambitions suffered a significant blow on Sunday as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage, with Harrison Reed's stoppage-time wonderstrike snatching a point for the hosts moments after Cody Gakpo thought he had won it.
Dramatic Finale at Craven Cottage
The match in west London was decided by a breathtaking finale in added time. With the game poised at 1-1, substitute Cody Gakpo looked to have handed Liverpool all three points with a close-range tap-in. However, the Reds' celebrations were brutally cut short almost immediately. Harrison Reed, who had only just entered the fray, unleashed an unstoppable long-range effort to equalise, ensuring the points were shared in the most dramatic fashion.
A Tale of VAR and Missed Opportunities
The game's narrative was heavily influenced by Video Assistant Referee interventions and Liverpool's profligacy. Fulham took the lead through former Red Harry Wilson, whose superb strike was initially ruled offside before being correctly awarded by VAR. Liverpool's Florian Wirtz then saw a goal given after a similar delay, having been flagged offside in real time.
Arne Slot's side lacked fluency for large periods and were guilty of wasting clear chances. Stand-in striker Gakpo had an effort ruled out for offside and later missed a golden opportunity from a Curtis Jones pass early on. Wilson almost doubled Fulham's lead in the 77th minute, lobbing the advancing Alisson only to see his effort crash back off the crossbar.
Injury Concerns Loom Large for Slot
The match highlighted Liverpool's concerning lack of attacking depth. The absence of recognised strikers Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike was keenly felt, with Gakpo struggling to lead the line effectively. Manager Arne Slot issued a worrying update on Ekitike's minor injury, suggesting the Frenchman is struggling to manage the workload in Isak's absence. This delicate situation underscores the continued importance of Mohamed Salah, currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The result leaves Liverpool struggling to match the heights of their previous campaign. While the point ends Marco Silva's unwanted record of 11 straight losses against reigning champions, for Liverpool, it represents two crucial points dropped in their pursuit of the title.
