Liverpool had to win this Sunday. After a disastrous last ten days between a cruel defeat against Crystal Palace in the Premier League and an elimination in the Europa League against Atalanta Bergamo, the Reds had to regain confidence against Fulham this Sunday. Thus, Jürgen Klopp’s flock had a good first period. With good intentions in the game, it was they who had the best start to the match at Craven Cottage. Asphyxiated, the locals were unable to maintain control of the lead during their few phases of possession. But now, this possession quickly proved sterile against a defensively consistent Fulham and a cruel lack of inspiration from the Reds. As is often the case, this bit of madness came from Trent Alexander-Arnold. On an eccentric free kick on the left, the Englishman sent a perfectly whipped ball into the top corner of Bernd Leno who remained unmoved (0-1, 32nd).
Overall Premier League standings
|
#
|
Team
|
Pts
|
J
|
DIF
|
G
|
NOT
|
D
|
BP
|
B.C.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
|
74 |
33 |
51 |
23 |
5 |
5 |
77 |
26 |
|
2 |
|
74 |
33 |
43 |
22 |
8 |
3 |
75 |
32 |
|
3 |
|
73 |
32 |
44 |
22 |
7 |
3 |
76 |
32 |
|
4 |
|
66 |
34 |
21 |
20 |
6 |
8 |
71 |
50 |
|
5 |
|
60 |
32 |
16 |
18 |
6 |
8 |
65 |
49 |
|
6 |
|
50 |
32 |
17 |
15 |
5 |
12 |
69 |
52 |
|
7 |
|
50 |
32 |
-1 |
15 |
5 |
12 |
47 |
48 |
|
8 |
|
48 |
34 |
-9 |
13 |
9 |
12 |
54 |
63 |
See the full ranking
But while they calmly had the match in hand, the visitors mysteriously fell back into their defensive faults. Alisson saving the Liverpool home a few minutes before in front of Rodrigo Muniz (41st), the Brazilian goalkeeper was unable to do anything on Timothy Castagne’s strike before the break (1-1, 45+2nd). Taking a psychological advantage by equalizing at the best of times, the Cottagers did not exist in the second half. By putting their game in order and being more incisive, Liverpool dominated the proceedings and were quickly rewarded. Found by Harvey Elliott at the edge of the area, Ryan Gravenberch gave his team the advantage by curling an unstoppable strike for Leno (1-2, 53rd). Frustrated at the hour mark by the German goalkeeper, Diogo Jota completed the success of the Reds in the 72nd minute by ending an individual rush with a clear attempt from the left (3-1). Serene until the end of the match despite several vain attempts by Rodrigo Muniz, Jürgen Klopp’s men left London with the three points of victory. A success which allows them to return to the level of Arsenal, leader in the standings and to temporarily return to second place. As a reminder, Manchester City, who qualified for the FA Cup final this weekend by dismissing Chelsea on Saturday (1-0), are one game behind their two rivals. For its part, Fulham, stuck in the soft underbelly of the elite across the Channel this season, remains twelfth.
