Liverpool recovered from an early red card and fought back from behind twice to secure a potentially priceless point in a 2-2 home draw with Fulham in the Premier League.
Flashpoints and flair were the talking points of an unmissable first half; after Andreas Pereira controversially escaped a red card and scored a wonderful acrobatic opener, Liverpool stalwart Andy Robertson took the walk of shame for a last-man foul on Harry Wilson.
However, Fulham could not make the most of their extra man in the time that remained before the break, and the Liverpool fightback was triggered just two minutes into the second half courtesy of Cody Gakpo, who was the beneficiary of Mohamed Salah's 100th Reds assist - an extremely fine one at that.
The frenetic action continuing in the second period made it impossible to envisage the contest ending 1-1, and so it proved, as Rodrigo Muniz restored Fulham's advantage before substitute Diogo Jota - on his return from injury - restored Reds parity for a second time.
As Everton did Liverpool a favour by holding Arsenal to a goalless stalemate, Liverpool still hold an unassailable lead at the Premier League summit, while ninth place belongs to Fulham as they remain within touching distance of the continental spots.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Fresh from denting Arsenal's title aspirations at Craven Cottage last weekend, Fulham had little to fear on Liverpool's turf amid their own push for European football, and so it proved as Marco Silva's side attacked aggressively from the off.
However, Pereira attacked Gravenberch's calf a little too aggressively and could count himself fortunate not to be sent off before breaking the deadlock, adding to Liverpool's list of PGMOL grievances after the David Coote saga.
Robertson could have absolutely no complaints about his dismissal, though, as the Scotsman's alarming fall from grace continues; there is no discounting what he has already achieved in a Reds jersey, but he was the far inferior left-back on the pitch today.
Indeed, Fulham's much-coveted wide man Antonee Robinson laid on both of the visitors' assists in Saturday's thriller, and one wonders whether he could have caught the eye of the observing Liverpool chiefs ahead of the summer transfer window.
At the other end of the field, the perpetually clinical Jota showed that he had not lost his ruthless touch during his lengthy absence, while a Darwin Nunez assist should also boost his confidence amid scathing criticism of his play recently.
LIVERPOOL VS. FULHAM HIGHLIGHTS
11th min: Liverpool 0-1 Fulham (Andreas Pereira)
This was not in Slot's script for today!
Trent Alexander-Arnold does not do enough to prevent Alex Iwobi whipping a sumptuous ball to the back stick, and Pereira hooks an acrobatic volley into the roof of the net via a Robertson deflection.
A highly controversial opener, as there was a case for a red card against Pereira for the Brazilian's foul on Ryan Gravenberch just a few moments before.
16th min: Andy Robertson (Liverpool) red card
© Imago
Robertson's nightmare afternoon ends after just 16 minutes, and there cannot be a single complaint from the Scotsman, who makes two fatal errors in quick succession.
The Liverpool man fails to make a seemingly simple interception from a long pass, and Wilson is on it as quick as a flash, but he is ruthlessly hauled down by Robertson just as he is about to bear down on goal.
Referee Tony Harrington whips out the red card straight away, and after a VAR check confirms that Wilson had kept himself onside, the decision stands.
47th min: Liverpool 1-1 Fulham (Cody Gakpo)
© IconSport
Some choice words from Slot at half time clearly had the desired effect!
Liverpool work the ball out to Salah on the right, and the Egyptian sends in the most outrageously beautiful inswinging cross - think prime Mesut Ozil.
Gakpo has his eye on the delivery the entire time, and the Dutchman cannot miss with a diving header from close range. There was a hint of a foul on Kenny Tete from Luis Diaz as the ball flew over both of their heads, but the goal stands.
76th min: Liverpool 1-2 Fulham (Rodrigo Muniz)
It was only a matter of time before the third goal went in - the only question was which goalkeeper would be picking the ball out of the back of the net, and the answer is Alisson Becker!
Fulham advance down the left as Iwobi releases Antonee Robinson, who does brilliantly to cut the ball back into the six-yard box, where Muniz's improvised backheel seemingly deflects off of Joe Gomez into the far corner!
86th min: Liverpool 2-2 Fulham (Diogo Jota)
The dictionary definition of back with a bang!
On his first appearance since injury, Jota has seemingly snatched a point from the jaws of defeat for Liverpool, collecting Darwin Nunez's pass and turning his marker before side-footing home with Bernd Leno diving the other way.
MAN OF THE MATCH - ANTONEE ROBINSON
© Imago
As Robertson's Liverpool career remains on a downward spiral, Fulham's Robinson offered the Scotsman a left-back clinic, putting two slick assists on a plate for Pereira and Muniz and also excelling defensively.
The American put in five tackles, four interceptions and one block as he dominated the Anfield flank, and a marquee transfer in the summer of 2025 is surely inevitable.
LIVERPOOL VS. FULHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Liverpool 60%-40% Fulham
Shots: Liverpool 16-12 Fulham
Shots on target: Liverpool 4-3 Fulham
Corners: Liverpool 5-4 Fulham
Fouls: Liverpool 10-7 Fulham
BEST STATS
Since his debut for Liverpool in the Premier League, Andy Robertson is the only Liverpool player to get sent off more than once. #LIVFUL pic.twitter.com/pAGoYy4UCr
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 14, 2024
Fast starts from @FulhamFC 🏎️
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 14, 2024
The Cottagers have opened the scoring early in each of their last three matches! pic.twitter.com/l88uaUBAZT
100 - Mo Salah has now provided 100 assists for Liverpool in all competitions, with 13 of those coming this season - the most of any Premier League player in 2024-25. Centurion. pic.twitter.com/nvHTy3lOfs
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 14, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
There is no respite during the hectic Christmas period for Liverpool, who square up to Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter-finals next Wednesday, four days before a mouthwatering top-flight tie with Tottenham Hotspur.
As for Fulham, Silva's side are coincidentally Southampton's next opponents in the Premier League, taking on the Saints at Craven Cottage on December 22.
Ben Knapton
