Liverpool Battle Back Twice to Draw 2-2 with Fulham Despite Robertson’s Early Red Card
Drama unfolded at Anfield on Saturday afternoon as Liverpool twice clawed their way back to secure a 2-2 draw against Fulham in a thrilling Premier League clash. The Reds, reduced to 10 men after just 17 minutes, showed grit and determination to salvage a point in front of their home crowd.
The match began with a shock for Liverpool fans as Fulham took the lead in the 11th minute. Andreas Pereira capitalized on a cross from Antonee Robinson, with the ball deflecting off Andrew Robertson and into the net. Things went from bad to worse for Liverpool just six minutes later when Robertson was sent off for a reckless foul on Harry Wilson, denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. It was a nightmare start for the Scotland international, whose day ended in just 17 minutes.
Despite being a man down, Liverpool managed to maintain control of the game for much of the first half. However, their attacking efforts lacked sharpness, with their only real chance coming when Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a pinpoint cross to Luis Díaz, who failed to trouble Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
After the break, Liverpool came out with renewed energy and quickly found an equalizer. Mohamed Salah delivered a brilliant cross to the back post, where Cody Gakpo was waiting to slot it home. The Anfield crowd roared in approval, sensing a potential comeback despite the numerical disadvantage.
However, Fulham struck again to retake the lead. Liverpool’s young defender Jarell Quansah was outmuscled by Robinson, who cut the ball back to Rodrigo Muniz for a clinical finish. It was a moment of inexperience from Quansah that proved costly.
Manager Arne Slot responded by bringing on Diogo Jota, and the Portuguese forward made an immediate impact. Just three minutes after coming on, Jota found the back of the net with a composed finish, leveling the score once again. Liverpool pushed for a winner during nine minutes of added time, but Díaz missed a golden opportunity to seal the victory in the dying moments.
Positives
Despite the early setback of Robertson’s red card, Liverpool showed incredible resilience and determination to fight back twice. Their second-half performance, in particular, was a testament to their character and tactical adjustments under Slot.
Negatives
The first-half performance left much to be desired, with Liverpool struggling to create meaningful chances. Robertson’s red card was a major blow, and Quansah’s defensive lapse for Fulham’s second goal highlighted the challenges of relying on young players in high-pressure situations.
Manager Rating (1-10; 10 = best)
Arne Slot, 9 — Slot deserves credit for keeping his team composed and organized despite being down to 10 men. His tactical tweaks at halftime paid off, and his substitutions, particularly the introduction of Jota, were spot on. However, his booking in the 58th minute means he will serve a touchline ban for Liverpool’s next Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Player Ratings
- GK Alisson Becker 6 — Commanded his area well and couldn’t be faulted for either goal.
- DF Andrew Robertson 1 — A disastrous 17 minutes saw him concede a deflected goal and receive a red card.
- DF Virgil van Dijk 7 — Solid at the back and instrumental in transitioning the ball forward.
- MF Dominik Szoboszlai 8 — A standout performer, combining defensive work rate with creativity in attack.
- FW Cody Gakpo 7 — Scored the crucial first equalizer and linked up well in attack.
- FW Diogo Jota N/R — Made an instant impact with a well-taken goal to secure the draw.
While Liverpool will rue missed opportunities and defensive lapses, their fighting spirit was on full display. With Tottenham up next, Slot will need to rally his troops and address the gaps exposed in this match.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
