Fulham and Liverpool Share Spoils in Thrilling 2-2 Draw
Harrison Reed scored a remarkable equaliser in the 97th minute to cancel out Cody Gakpo's 94th-minute goal, resulting in a thrilling 2-2 draw between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage.
Florian Wirtz's goal had previously brought Liverpool level after Harry Wilson opened the scoring for Fulham. Gakpo appeared to secure victory for Liverpool with a late strike from Jeremie Frimpong's cross, but Reed's stunning long-range effort changed the outcome.
This draw extends Liverpool's unbeaten streak to nine matches, while Fulham remains unbeaten in their last five.
Wilson, who scored against his former club, put Fulham ahead in a first half where Liverpool struggled to penetrate Marco Silva's well-organized defense despite controlling possession.
After the break, Liverpool intensified their efforts and were rewarded when Wirtz finished past goalkeeper Bernd Leno just before the hour mark. Initially ruled offside, a lengthy VAR review confirmed Wirtz was onside, allowing the goal to stand.
The match experienced a 15-minute delay at kick-off due to a medical emergency involving a member of Fulham's matchday staff.
Liverpool, missing top scorer Hugo Ekitike due to a minor hamstring issue, started the match brightly, with Gakpo missing a good chance early on. Fulham struck first in the 18th minute when Raul Jimenez set up Wilson, who found the net with a precise left-footed shot. Although the goal was initially flagged offside, VAR confirmed that Virgil van Dijk had played Wilson onside.
Despite dominating possession, Liverpool failed to test Leno in the first half. They came out strong in the second half, with Alexis Mac Allister hitting the woodwork from a corner. In the 57th minute, Conor Bradley's brilliant run set up Wirtz for a left-footed strike that was again initially flagged offside but was confirmed as a goal after another VAR check.
Wilson came close to scoring again, hitting the crossbar in the 77th minute as both teams sought a winner. Gakpo seemed to have clinched victory for Liverpool with a goal in front of jubilant away supporters, but Reed's spectacular long-range strike in stoppage time sent Craven Cottage into wild celebrations.
Liverpool Analysis: Reds Improve After the Break
Concerns arose when Liverpool's coach arrived without Ekitike, who was ruled out due to a slight hamstring issue, although he is expected to return for their upcoming match against Arsenal. Liverpool struggled in the first half, failing to register a shot on target, marking four consecutive halves without a goal. However, they displayed a more direct approach in the second half, with Bradley playing a key role in Wirtz's goal and Frimpong assisting Gakpo.
Despite their efforts, Liverpool's recent luck was epitomized by Reed's stunning equaliser, which could be a contender for goal of the season.
Fulham Analysis: Cottagers Earn Well-Deserved Point
Manager Silva's decision to start with five defenders paid off as his team was compact and difficult to break down. Fulham capitalized on their first attempt on goal, with Wilson's strike putting them ahead. While there may be frustration among fans regarding the legitimacy of Wirtz's goal, the second half showcased Liverpool's increased tempo, ultimately leading to a fair draw. Reed's goal marked his first in 50 Premier League appearances, with his last coming against Everton in April 2023.
Silva has lost only one of his seven Premier League home matches against Liverpool (W2 D4), while Slot remains without a win in three league encounters against Fulham.
Upcoming Matches
Fulham will face Chelsea in a local derby at Craven Cottage on Wednesday at 19:30 GMT, while Liverpool will return to London to challenge league leaders Arsenal on Thursday at 20:00.