Panenka LFC “We got away with murder for this one,” | OneFootball

Liverpool 2-2 Fulham: A Tactical Masterclass Despite the Odds

Liverpool’s hard-fought 2-2 draw against Fulham at Anfield offered a spectacle of resilience, tactical adaptability, and moments of brilliance, despite being a man down for much of the game. In the latest episode of the Panenka LFC podcast, the contributors provided an in-depth breakdown of this eventful match, shedding light on Arne Slot’s tactical ingenuity and Liverpool’s unrelenting spirit.

Early Setbacks and Tactical Adjustments

As the podcast host emphasised, “Given everything that happened during that game, we can all agree it was one point gained rather than two lost.” Liverpool went behind after just 11 minutes, with Andreas Pereira scoring for Fulham following an error-strewn sequence. Robertson’s mishap was noted, as the host pointed out, “Robo easily gave away the ball after winning it and then lost his man inside the box.”

Things took a sharper turn for the worse when Robertson saw red just six minutes later, leaving the Reds to contend with 10 men for the majority of the match. Instead of panicking, Arne Slot adjusted, making tweaks that showcased his tactical flexibility. Cody Gakpo was briefly deployed as a makeshift left-back, a decision questioned on the podcast: “Gakpo doesn’t have the defensive awareness needed for that role,” leading to Fulham exploiting the flanks.

Slot’s Tactical Brilliance Shines

One of the standout moments from the analysis was Slot’s decision to move Gravenberch into the backline. The podcast highlighted his impact: “Gravenberch brought much-needed physicality to deal with Raul Jiménez,” shutting down Fulham’s aerial threat and stabilising Liverpool’s defence. His defensive stats were lauded, including two tackles, two interceptions, and two aerial duels won.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool’s midfield reshaped itself, with Curtis Jones dropping deeper and the team opting for direct transitions rather than gradual build-up play. The contributors noted how this change allowed Liverpool to remain competitive: “We turned the game into a transitional slugfest, targeting the flanks with long balls for Gakpo and Salah.”

Moments of Brilliance from Salah and Núñez

Liverpool’s first equaliser came just after the break, epitomising the team’s fighting spirit. Trent Alexander-Arnold broke Fulham’s press with a clever pass to Joe Gomez, initiating a move that ended with Mohamed Salah delivering a sublime cross to Gakpo. “Once you give the Egyptian King too much space, you’ll surely end up paying,” the podcast host remarked, underscoring Salah’s pivotal role.

Later, Darwin Núñez’s introduction proved decisive. His link-up play set up Diogo Jota’s confident equaliser: “The Portuguese sent the Fulham defender back to where he came from before slotting home with a cooler-than-ever finish.” Núñez’s ability to combine with teammates and provide a creative spark underlined his growing importance in Liverpool’s system.

Positives Amidst Challenges

Despite pressing high with 10 men, Liverpool managed to limit Fulham’s control for large portions of the game. “The players’ belief in themselves should be applauded,” one contributor stated. They also praised Arne Slot’s composure, noting, “Any other team would have been dominated going one man down that early.”

The podcast concluded with a reminder of Arsenal dropping points against Everton, softening the blow of Liverpool’s draw. “We got away with murder for this one,” they joked, while calling for fans to appreciate the squad’s grit and resilience.

Liverpool’s Lessons from Fulham

This thrilling match left fans and pundits with much to ponder. As Panenka LFC eloquently summarised, Liverpool’s ability to adapt tactically and maintain their intensity despite early setbacks is a testament to the team’s character and the vision of Arne Slot. From Salah’s incisive creativity to Gravenberch’s defensive heroics, this performance, while frustrating in result, highlighted Liverpool’s readiness to fight on all fronts.

What do you make of Liverpool’s performance? Was this a case of resilience or missed opportunities? Let us know in the comments.