Fulham vs Liverpool

Fulham kick off their return to Premier League football with a major test as Liverpool head to Craven Cottage on August 6.

— — — — — — August 6 August 6 August 6 20 Mins to KO: The players are warming up! Here are a couple of shots Liverpool shared from the warm-ups a little earlier. Fulham win a corner on their left.

Aleksandar Mitrovic twice gave Fulham the lead but Liverpool fought back as Darwin Nunez scored one and set up Mohamed Salah for another. This is not the start ...

However, if they keep playing with that kind of intensity in the first 45 minutes of games this season, few teams will be able to live with that. He scored one and set up another as his presence in the penalty box caused Fulham so many problems. Maybe Aleksandar Mitrovic can do it in the Premier League? He powered home a trademark header for his first and slotted home a penalty for his second (after his fancy footwork bamboozled Virgil van Dijk, of all people) and he has two goals in his first Premier League game this season. Nunez coming on sparked Liverpool into life in attack and rescued a point for them. Marco Silva has bemoaned Fulham’s lack of transfer activity so far this summer and mistakes from Tosin and Tim Ream proved his point about needing a few more center backs. Early in the second half Darwin Nunez jumped off the bench and Liverpool’s attack sparked into life.

There's no reason to panic for Liverpool, but after dropping points Jurgen Klopp may need to make adjustments.

Nunez in front of Firmino can help make up for the issues pressing while giving Diaz another focal point in attack as things are too predictable when Salah is the only target that teams need to worry about. They certainly didn't bank on this point being one of the 40 that they'd need to survive the season. Before the break it was Fulham that were close to scoring, as Neeskens Kebano struck the post, but the introduction of Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez changed how Liverpool approached things. Despite his issues on the defensive end of the pitch, where he's not nearly the pressing presence that Firmino can be at his best, his performance is why Klopp doesn't need to worry too much about this result. Luis Diaz and Jordan Henderson did hit the post so on another day, things could've gone differently but when Fulham are out pressing Liverpool, that's not a good look for the team expected to be in the thick of the title race. Right out of the gate, Andreas Pereira was pressing high up the pitch giving Liverpool fits when they looked to build from the back, while João Palhinha was stout at the base of midfield winning three tackles and notching an interception.

Follow live coverage as Jurgen Klopp's Reds get their 2022/23 campaign underway against the newly-promoted Cottagers in west London.

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Aleksandar Mitrovic scored either side of a Darwin Nunez flick before Mohamed Salah salvaged a point for a below-par Liverpool.

Soon subbed off for Milner after the break.5/10 Darwin Nunez – An early second-half introduction, replacing Firmino. Arguably should have shot when opting to play the ball across goal, but moments after seeing one flick saved, a second attempt found the net, after Tosin’s touch played it onto Nunez’s heel. Thiago – Arguably the pick of Liverpool’s starting midfielders, found his range early on and almost assisted Diaz in the first half. Jordan Henderson – Went down under a challenge from Palhinha and was on the floor clutching his left foot as Fulham scored their opener. A greater threat in the second half going forward. Andy Robertson – Blocked Reed’s effort moments before Mitrovic gave Fulham the lead. At fault for Liverpool’s second goal, however, heading it back to Nunez. 7/10 Joel Matip – With Ibrahima Konate out injured, a chance for Matip to have a run in the team. Trent Alexander-Arnold – Sloppy pass gifted Mitrovic a huge early chance, and later in the first half was no match for Fulham’s No 9, who got the better of Alexander-Arnold in the air to head in the opener. Andreas Pereira – After a spate of loan spells away from Manchester United, Pereira made the permanent switch to Fulham last month and goes straight into their starting line-up. The drama wasn’t over, though, and Liverpool had their second equaliser when Tim Ream’s header found Nunez, who had the simple task of squaring it to Salah for the tap-in. Nunez then had the audacity to try two flicks in a matter of minutes.

Get a report of the Fulham vs. Liverpool 2022-23 English Premier League football match.

"I know the quality Mitrovic has and I'm here to take the best from my players. "We got a point from a really bad game. The performance can be massively improved.

In my inaugural player ratings, there won't be too many high ratings as Liverpool drop points on the opening day of the Premier League season against ...

The final substitution for Liverpool was the introduction of Fabio Carvalho for Luis Diaz with 15 minutes left or so. Liverpool didn't have too many individually poor performances but on the whole, were just collectively very average. He wasn't the best player on the pitch, but he rarely is. Nunez looked very dangerous and he will make a very strong case that he should be starting every game for Liverpool. Very impressive. Unlucky not to be on the scoresheet, but was one of the few shining lights for Jurgen Klopp's side. I adore Roberto Firmino, but he didn't offer much at all today. His passing wasn't amazing in the first half, a lot of overhit balls which he usually masters. He struggled to retain possession for his side and lost a lot of his fifty-fifty challenges. Liverpool struggled to win the midfield battle today against Fulham and Fabinho wasn't great at doing what he knows he's capable of. Liverpool's towering central defender was probably as good as Joel Matip on the whole but his rating drops to a six following the mistake with the penalty. Sticking a leg out and clashing knees was always going to be risky, and he cost the team a penalty. There wasn't too much that Alisson could've done for either of the goals Fulham scored.

Fulham host Liverpool at Craven Cottage on Saturday as the Premier League newcomers have an almighty test on the opening weekend of the new season.

All of their hopes are once again pinned on Aleksandar Mitrovic as the Serbian goal machine (at least in the second tier) will be peppered with crosses and the hope is that he can finally become more prolific in the Premier League. Marco Silva has been outspoken about Fulham not making a lot of signings this summer and staying up will be a huge achievement. They sold Sadio Mane early in the summer but replaced him with club-record signing Darwin Nunez who looks set to be the next forward star at Anfield. And oh yeah, they managed to sign Mohamed Salah to a new long-term contract too. Luis Diaz has the ball in the back of the net with a lovely curling finish… KICK OFF: And a very good chance for Fulham right away! Fulham having a real go here. Fulham having a real go here. The Reds have come close on a few occasions, but Fulham totally deserve their lead with new signings Pereira and Palhinha particularly impressive. BLOCK! Harrison Reed’s shot is blocked well by Robertson and Mitrovic twice nearly got on the end of a cross. What a thrilling start to a busy Saturday in the Premier League. Liverpool so close to an equalizer. USMNT‘s Tim Ream does brilliantly to win the ball back and surge forward, then Neeskens Kebano’s shot beats Alisson but hits the post and bounces back out. This season is all about one thing for Fulham: staying in the Premier League.