The Football Faithful
·14 décembre 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·14 décembre 2024
Earning a point away to Liverpool would usually be a cause for celebration for most teams, but Fulham were left feeling like they let one get away at Anfield.
The Cottagers were the better side for most of the first half, during which the hosts were reduced to ten men after Andy Robertson was given his marching orders for taking down Harry Wilson.
Marco Silva’s men were already one up by then; Andreas Pereira volleyed home from close range following an excellent cross from Antonee Robinson.
A familiar failing befell Fulham shortly after the halftime break, however. Before Saturday they had conceded six Premier League goals in the ten minutes after the restart. Cody Gakpo made it seven in the 47th minute.
The remainder of the game was defined by changes from both managers. Arne Slot decided he needed another defender on the field, so he replaced Curtis Jones with Jarell Quansah, but the 21-year-old proceeded to have a torrid time on the pitch.
His failure to deal with Robinson led to Fulham‘s second goal by Rodrigo Muniz, who had only entered the pitch shortly before Quansah.
Despite their disadvantage in numbers, Liverpool performed strongly in the closing stages as they pressed hard for another equaliser. It was two substitutes who combined to get it late on as Darwin Nunez set up the returning Diogo Jota, who turned brilliantly before finishing.
An entertaining, chaotic ending ensued but it ended up all square. Fulham will take the point, no doubt, but Silva knows it could have been so much more. His team squandered several opportunities to create chances on the break, only for them to come to nothing.
“The game is emotional here,” the Portuguese told BBC Match of the Day. “The crowd plays a big part and with the quality of Liverpool, they can almost be unstoppable.
“It’s the risk you have to take because we believe in ourselves. Liverpool are so good and they are winning so good, they are an aggressive team. Everything went to plan for us on the left-hand side.
“I think the red card created more emotion in the game, the crowd played their part. We had to keep more of the ball and make them run more. We reacted well and had so many times three against four, the decision-making has to be better.
“We conceded a late goal in a moment we were too open and the quality of Jota made an impact. We should have taken three.
“With one player more and leading the score, we should have been more narrow. We were too open and their composure was decisive.
“The momentum is here and in our group. I have to give credit to our players for their attitude and commitment. We have to go in the same way against Southampton next week.”
Fantasy Premier League – The new Assistant Manager chip explained