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What happened to Liverpool? The defending Premier League champions came into this game after their fifth straight loss at home, an unwanted record that has never been equaled in club history.
Fulham’s Mario Lemina compounded the misery felt at Anfield when he scored just before half-time, after catching Mohamed Salah sleeping on the edge of the penalty area. And while Liverpool showed more in the second half, Fulham’s defense remained strong and substitute Sadio Mane was unable to seize the opportunities presented to him.
Now there will be more pressure for Liverpool to do well in the Champions League midweek as their losing streak at home has been extended to six.
Positive
With seven changes made by Jurgen Klopp, there were many players on the team who had a point to prove, which means there was a lot of hunger. There were definitely improvements in the second half compared to the first, and Liverpool took the ball much more.
Negative
When Fulham scored just before the break, it was not a surprise at all, a damning indictment of Liverpool’s performance. Considering that the away team are fighting relegation, Liverpool should not allow them to have so much ground in the game. There was very little of the incisive play that has made Liverpool so feared in recent years.
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Manager rating out of 10
4 – Liverpool may have to consider a Champions League match, but there will be plenty of questions about Klopp’s decision to make seven changes. There will also be those who feel that the German manager should have been more proactive with his substitutions and made them earlier to end a home record that has become disgraceful.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players submitted after 70 minutes are not rated)
GK Alisson, 6 years old – He showed authority in much of his game, especially flying to deny Josh Maja, but had no chance to stop Lemina’s effort.
DF Neco Williams, 5 years – It was too easy for Ademola Lookman to get space, while the Welshman did not offer much in the first half. He came out with a little more intent in the second period, putting in some decent crosses in the area.
DF Nathaniel Phillips, 7 years old – He struggled when Maja ran between him and the right back, but gave a good account of himself, putting his head in many balls and looking comfortable in possession.
DF Rhys Williams, 6 years old – Some of his positioning was a little off, but the young man was resilient in his display and stood his ground.
DF Andrew Robertson, 6 years old – It can be argued that he should have done better with his header in the lead-up to goal. He managed to make a timely intervention when Ola Aina led a Fulham break and was unlucky to see his late cross cut off.
MF James Milner, 5 years – He got away with one when he lost the ball to Iván Cavaleiro, but was disciplined for long periods of the game without doing anything spectacular.
MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 5 – The Dutchman moved the ball quite well but did very little to stand out.
MF Naby Keita, 5 years old – He seemed shy for much of the first half, but his ball to Mane was one of the few moments of real quality by any Liverpool player in this match. Cautioned for a late foul on Lemina.
FW Xherdan Shaqiri, 5 – He was close with two efforts, but did very little to improve Liverpool’s game in the preparation phase.
FW Mohamed Salah, 5 years old – He did some good runs behind the Fulham defense, but it was the Egyptian fumble on the edge of his box that led to Fulham’s goal. He seemed frustrated at all times.
FW Diogo Jota, 6 – He had threatening moments and was very unlucky to see his effort saved by Alphonse Areola.
Substitutes
Sadio Mane, 4 – He replaced Wijnaldum in the 61st minute and had three good chances, hitting the wood with one and making a mess with the others.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, N / A – He replaced Williams in the 77th minute and put a good cross into the box, although Mane could not make the most of it.
Fabinho, N / A – He replaced Milner in the 77th minute and showed the quality of the pass to break the lines that had been lost so many times, although it was not enough to win a point.
