Liverpool 2 – 2 Fulham Premier League Player Ratings

The Premier League schedule brought the current table toppers back to Anfield, where Marco Silva’s impressive Fulham side were tasked with trying to derail Liverpool’s pursuit of maximum points.

The lineup and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Alisson Becker – 7.0

The world-class Brazilian showed his brilliance against Girona and this game was always going to represent his immediate return to domestic football. The former Roma man was left helpless for the opening goal and was unable to produce his usual heroics. Was unable to stop the second goal, however, was key at times in keeping his team in the fight.

Trent Alexander Arnold – 6.0

The England superstar started with a good on-ball endeavour, however, he could have done better to stop the cross for the opening goal. This wasn’t a great showing and he did what he could in a questionable role after the second off

Subbed – 79 mins

Andy Robertson – 1.0

The Scotland international skipper was awful to lose the ball before the goal and was at fault for the goal itself, as he failed to deal with the resulting strike. The red card summed up perhaps the worst stint in a Liverpool shirt that the Anfield legend has experienced.

Sent off – 17 mins

Joe Gomez – 6.0

The England international defender was superb in using his body to block a second goal, however, the defence struggled to adapt after going a man down. Showed good character in a largely position-less role.

Virgil van Dijk – 7.0

The captain and leader of this team were pulled about the place from the opening bell, as Fulham came to disrupt the Red’s pursuit for three points. He finally managed to organize the backline and despite some issues created by the man less, managed to produce a solid performance.

Ryan Gravenberch – 8.0

The Duch midfielder was forced to move deeper after the red card and showed good character to adjust. His second-half performance was high energy and committed as he strived to get his side back into the game.

Man of the match

Dominik Szoboszlai – 8.0

The Hungarian captain was always going to be the middleman that brought energy to the hosts and his efforts were clear in the first half. The former RB Leipzig man produced a great cross that should have seen Luis Díaz score, however, the effort was squandered. Drove on and on in a second-half display full of purpose.

Subbed – 79 mins

Curtis Jones – 6.0

The former England under-21 skipper started as the controller, however, all control was lost before and especially after the early red card. The England under-21 European champion was at times ineffective, though carried through in a second-half comeback.

Subbed – 70 mins

Luis Díaz – 6.0

The Columbian attacker started as the false nine in an adjusted forward line. From the outset, the former Porto man was a counter-attacking asset that struggled to make an impact. The 27-year-old should have equalized with a free header, however, the close-range effort was missed. Struggled to explode.

Cody Gakpo – 7.0

The Dutch forward started with a lacklustre performance, as he failed to adjust to the red card and subsequent formation alteration. A great diving header for the first equalizer as the former PSV elevated his game in the second half.

Subbed – 70 mins

Mohamed Salah – 6.0

The Egyptian King was lively and looked to attack Robinson at every opportunity and looked like the man most likely to make a breakthrough for much of the game. The assist was his key contribution to take his Liverpool tally to 100, in a tough afternoon against a spirited opponent.

Substitutions:

Jarell Quansah – 4.0 (on 70)

Came on and struggled to adapt to the ferocious nature of the game.

Darwin Núñez – 7.0 (on 70)

Came on to add fire, passion and an assist.

Diogo Jota – 8.0 (on 79)

Came on to steal the show in the latter stages.

Harvey Elliott – 7.0 (on 79)

Came on to add enthusiasm.

The Manager:

Arne Slot – 7.0

The Dutch manager was keen to get a strong attacking lineup onto the pitch and decided on Luis Díaz instead of Darwin Núñez at centre forward. Unfortunately for the former Feyenoord manager, the sending-off of Andy Robertson caused all pre-game plans to fall away.

All the substitutions were effective and well-timed, though the sending-off killed a real opportunity to extend the lead.

An angry head coach is forming on Merseyside.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction

Liverpool 2 – 1 Fulham