Liverpool 2 – 2 Fulham Premier League Man of the Match

Ryan Gravenberch

Liverpool FC

This game was always going to be a tough match for the hosts, with Marco Silva setting his team up as a solid and consistent mid-table team. The postponement of the Merseyside derby last weekend meant that the Reds had their top-of-the-table advantage reduced to four points, though with a game in hand or second-placed Chelsea.

This contest was thrown under the Merseyside bus in seventeen minutes, as a hapless and horrifyingly off-form Andy Robertson was sent from the field. The redial of that moment created the most disjointed formation imaginable, as players drifted into foreign roles and character was demanded of the ten men in red that remained.

A 2-2 draw in these circumstances may well galvanise an angry head coach and his men who fought and battled in a second-half comeback that nearly brought victory. At the heart of that comeback was the man who has lived through his own comeback story and was infectious in his efforts and quality today.

Ryan Gravenberch showed today the full circle version of what he is and what he can become, as he worked and defended like a man possessed at Anfield today. His desire to win for his manager, Arne Slot, is one of the brightest takes from this marvellous season. His performance today was sublime and he perhaps deserved to be part of the winning team at full-time. The ability to reshape his game as a holding midfielder has been astounding, however, his ability to drop into the back three today was incredible and he used his heart and body to make sure his club came away with at least a point.

The impact of the incoming substitute, Diogo Jota, must be noted as he enabled a late equalizer and was simply irresistible in his cameo on the pitch.

To see players put so much into a game is heartening and to see the young Dutchman, Ryan Gravenberch, continue to evolve and develop into a wonderful player is something that must be celebrated.

Next stop Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter final, where most of these starting assets should be rested and made ready for the next Premier League game. That includes today’s man of the match, who earned the plaudits with desire and an energy that none of us thought he could deliver.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction;

Liverpool 2 – 1 Fulham