The new season got off to a raucous start. How many more decibels will bombard our ears when the new stand accommodates those extra spectators?
Last week I posed two related questions: Could Fulham co-exist with teams like Liverpool and could the club establish itself in the Premier League? The first half of Saturday’s lunchtime match gave us reasons to believe. Despite the unfortunate absence of Harry Wilson, so integral to last year’s campaign, the starting 11 showed scant respect for their Liverpool guests.
Aleksandar Mitrovic in particular had a point to prove and he harried the defence without pity. The Reds seemed in shock as Mitro so easily eluded Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold only to shoot wide. Though Virgil Van Dijk handled him more vigorously the Serb would have put Fulham ahead if a cross from Neeskens Kebano had been more precise.
The quality of newcomers Joao Palhinha and Andreas Pereira also appeared to take Liverpool by surprise.
Pereira inspired the vital opening goal in the 32nd minute. From his pass Harrison Reed released Kebano and Kenny Tete, whose inch perfect centre was nodded home by the physically dominant Mitrovic. That ‘assist’ brought relief to Tete, the earlier recipient of a yellow card for one of his poorer tackles. Generally the Whites’ defence acquitted itself well. Though Luis Diaz hit the woodwork Fulham reached the break with the lead intact.
The home side showed the same intensity after the interval and Jurgen Klopp sent for re-enforcements. Harvey Elliott did not receive the friendliest of receptions on his return to the Cottage but home fans should have been more concerned by Klopp’s introduction of Darwin Nunez.
Mitrovic continued to disrupt the visitors’ defence and Kebano hit the post, but Mo Salah, hitherto almost unnoticed, formed a deadly partnership with Nunez. Marek Rodak thwarted them once but could do nothing to keep the Uruguyan from opening his Liverpool account.
After Tim Ream had prevented a second goal, Mitrovic again caught the visitors off guard, surging upfield and tumbling in the area. We are used to seeing him hit the turf but would VAR confirm the referee Andy Madley’s award of a penalty? Despite the Reds’ inevitable moans the TV showed van Dijk putting out a foot to impede the striker’s progress. From the spot the Fulham maestro calmly doubled his tally.
Barely twenty minutes remained for Liverpool to avoid a rare League defeat. As the pressure on Fulham’s goal increased Fabio Carvalho entered the fray and nearly scored against his former colleagues with his first touch.
Then Alexander-Arnold’s cross foxed Tosin and Tim Ream and allowed Salah to equalise, thereby breaking another scoring record. Elliott almost got his revenge when his pass allowed Jordan Henderson to rattle the crossbar but on the final whistle the Whites celebrated a magnificent draw.
The TV pundits chose Mitrovic as Man of the Match and the striker deservedly attracted much attention elsewhere. Tony Cascarino included Mitro and Palhinha in his team of the weekend but no one from Liverpool.
BT’s extensive coverage included some discussion of the high cost of match tickets and the Khans’ cautious attitude to new signings. These points matter but they will remain side issues so long as the players perform as they did last Saturday.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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