Conventional wisdom hardens when unchallenged. The pundits proclaimed Aleksandar Mitrovic a flat track bully and Fulham Premier League cannon fodder. The likes of Chris Sutton, Robbie Savage, even the erudite Ali Bruce-Ball, might be eating a slice of humble pie this evening after Marco Silva’s side more than matched Liverpool in a rip-roaring start to their latest battle to beat the drop. Mitrovic was lean and mean, monstering Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk all afternoon, dropping into pockets of space to give his disciplined defence some respite and bagging two goals. The Serbian striker might have had a hat trick if he hadn’t dragged a presentable chance wide of goal in the third minute.
Silva had promised his side would attack the top tier in the same way that the Whites had committed to adventure in the Championship. Such disdain for pragmatism stood in stark contrast to Scott Parker’s approach, but it also did for Slavisa Jokanovic at Craven Cottage. Last week, the Portuguese head coach bemoaned his club’s slowness in bringing in the bodies neccessary to establish themselves at English football’s top table – echoing the words of his predecessors. There was a sense of deja vu echoing around Craven Cottage. The gloom lifted within seconds of the first shrill blast of Andy Madley’s whistle.
Fulham utterly overwhelmed a rusty Liverpool from the outset. Mitrovic might have done better with his first sight of goal, but the hosts – roared on by an animated home crowd – harried the Champions’ League finalists from the outset. Harrison Reed and Joao Palhinha, paired together at the base of the hosts’ midfield, conclusively won the battle for the engine room and the Whites were rampant. Antonee Robinson raced along the left flank with glee, both keeping Mo Salah quiet and curbing the attacking instincts of Trent Alexander-Arnold for good measure.
Liverpool’s first attack fifteen minutes in ended was academic once an offside flag ruled out Luis Diaz’s curler that had found the top corner. But Fulham’s raids were much more threatening. A devilish free-kick from Andreas Pereira was half cleared but Mitrovic sent in a speculative shot. Reed rattled an effort goalbound from outside the area but Matip got his body in the way and a dangerous ball in from Neeskens Kebano flashed right across goal, narrowly missing Mitrovic.
The lead arrived just after the half hour mark and it was a fitting reward for Fulham remaining on the front foot. Pereira, a player Jokanovic wanted to sign only to to be overruled by the club’s analytics department, released Neeskens Kebano. The Congolese winger – another player revitalised by Silva – used the overlapping run of Kenny Tete and the Dutchman’s deep cross allowed Mitrovic to soar above Alexander-Arnold at the back post and plant a header past Allison. Craven Cottage erupted in joy.
The shock of going behind seemed to enliven Liverpool from their lunchtime lethargy. Andrew Robertson shot across the face of goal before Diaz rattled the far post with a clever strike that took the tiniest of deflections off Tete. The hosts were cheered off at half time and Klopp jogged off the pitch, intend on telling his players a few home truths. He responded to Thiago limping off with a hamstring strain with a double change that saw former Fulham midfielder Harvey Elliott enter proceedings. Elliott, whose switch to Anfield proved more acrimonious than the one made by Fabio Carvalho this summer, changed the balance of the game with his raids forward from mdifield.
Fulham might have extended their lead when Decordova-Reid stripped Elliott of possession and slipped a lovely ball through to Pereira, but the Brazilian’s return ball was scrambled clear by a stretching Matip. Tim Ream then joined the fun, venturing forward from centre back to feed Reed and Kebano, who cut in from the right and dispatched a right-footed effort that bounced back off the inside of the far post. Silva’s side were so close to a two-goal cushion, but their advantage was soon wiped out all together.
Elliott played a prominent role with a glorious touch to give Salah some space in which to operate on the right and the Egyptian’s low ball was brilliantly finished by Darwin Nunez, who deftly lofted it over a helpless Rodak – who had already denied him with a wonderful reflex save. The Uruguayan almost turned the game on its head a minute later, holding off Tosin Adarabioyo to shoot past the Fulham goalkeeper but veteran Ream arrived in the nick of time to clear off the line – a quite brilliant piece of defensive cover.
Liverpool looked set to press for a winner, but it was the hosts who went ahead again. Manor Solomon, who contributed an eye-catching cameo on his Premier League debut, played Mitrovic through one-on-one against van Dijk. The Serbian twisted and turned his way past the revered Dutch defender, inducing the clumsiest of challenges, and Madley pointed to the spot. Gone are the days when Mitrovic was fallible from twelve yards – he thumped the spot-kick past Allison into the bottom corner.
Fulham weren’t able to hold on for a famous victory. Ream and Adarabioyo went for the same ball with the American’s clearing header only reaching Alexander-Arnold. The full back found Nunez and Salah slotted home to set up a grandstand finish. Jordan Henderson did the bar in stoppage time, but if Liverpool had escaped SW6 with all three points, a Metropolitan Police crime reference number for robbery would have been in order. Fulham were fantastic, flawlessly executing Silva’s game plan, in a showing that suggests this season in the Premier League could just be different.
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Tete, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Reed, Palhinha; Kebano (Solomon 66), Decordova-Reid (Duffy 90), Pereira (Cairney 10); Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Leno, Mbabu, Francois, Harris, Stansfield, Muniz.
BOOKED: Tete, Decordova-Reid.
GOALS: Mitrovic (32, pen 72).
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Becker; Alexander-Arnold, A. Robertson, Matip, van Dijk; Henderson, Fabinho (Milner 59), Thiago (Elliott 55); Salah, Diaz (Carvalho 78), Firmino (Nunez 51). Subs (not used): Adrian, Gomez, Bajcetic, van der Berg, Chambers.
GOALS: Nunez (64), Salah (80).
REFEREE: Andy Madley (Yorkshire).
ATTENDANCE: 22,207.
Great summary. Atmosphere today was fantastic. The singing of Mitros ‘theme tune’before kick off awe inspiring. I left today with the upmost respect for Silva. He got the boys exactly right. Attitude perfect and desire to attack the game with balance absolutely brilliant. He is a different class of manager to Parker. Yes we still need to improve the squad but we were worthy of at least a point. The midfield was exceptional today Palhinia looks one hell of a player and Perieira running off the ball and touch was first class. I know Solomon was only on for a few mins but I think he could be the man. He needs time but a few touches of real class. Get the last pieces of the jigsaw sorted and we’re in business with this attitude. What a game. COYW
Great writing. My only wish is that the hunger and commitment shown today by our players will be our distinguishing mark. If we play like today, i strongly believe that survival could be achieved early. Up the Whites!
Excellent article. Much more confident for the season, all played well.
So impressed in the manner the team set about L’pool today. High energy, in your face approach plus a bit of speed. They came to us thinking we would roll over easily but they went away with a blooded nose. Keep it up Fulham and we stand a decent chance of survival.
Shrewd of Silva to only start with two new faces, rather than making wholesale changes. All the ‘regulars’ played well whilst the two new lads were brilliant. Palhinha especially is the real deal. The fact that we didn’t miss Wilson says it all. COYW.
Well Well ! We were all thinking this was a right off and how would marco silva limit the damage ! Glad he is the Manager and not the fan base ! 100% to Him , the backroom staff and the Team ! What a performance and unlucky not to get all 3 points and Mitro a hat trick Dan your review is spot on ! And special praise to Tim Ream , Kebano , Robinson and Rodak – all who have been labeled unfit for the premiership by many … . The new boys hungry and aggressive ! Silva has inspired each and everyone. Hope Rodak stays and Mitro is on 15 by half way through season ! Come on Marco Silva’s Black and White Army !
An excellent performance. Today we really got up there noses itwas great to see silva got it just right they thought it would be a pushover the old guard played well everyone gave it all I liked the way Mitro bullied Van Dyke and how Under Silva he looks a different player Fulham deserved more because we were the better team by a mile specialmention for Palinha and Andreas after this we should not be afraid of anybody so let’s keep it up. I hope the BBC pundits see it as we did and tell the truth for a change and say our lucky Liverpool were
Marco Silva did the right thing and started with the players that had achieved promotion. That was a brave choice.
He then got our tactics spot on and, if anybody was watching their first game of football, they would have been totally confused as to which team was tipped for the title and which for relegation.
Our high pressure game was fantastic to see -especially in that heat.
Every single player gave 100%.
Mitro was unplayable and gave their defence a torrid time all afternoon. To be honest, they looked terrified of him and his run for the penalty, when other players were starting to wilt in the sun, just showed this guy’s heart and stamina.
Even if we do bring in another striker as back up, I’m not sure anybody could match this kind of performance if called upon.
In midfield, Harrison and Palhinha were like terriers with Perira showing his creativeness and, although a lot of his flicks and final passes didn’t come off, you could see that he is an accomplished play maker that will only get better.
I am so pleased for Marek Rodak. I feared the worst when Leno finally signed but Marco stayed true and, right now, it looks as though Bernd must be the one thinking he might have jumped from one bench position to another.
Ditto for Tete. He retained the right back position despite Mbabu’s sparkling cameo last week and gave a battling performance that was highlighted by that brilliant cross for the first goal.
We deserved all 3 points.
We didn’t get them, unfortunately, because, although for most of the game, Ream and Tosin were rock stars, they faltered at those crucial moments. It seems churlish to even bring it up after such a rousing performance but we should be honest and admit that this is the truth. Before Liverpool scored, Tosin had been guilty of a terrible mis-placed pass that almost cost us dearly and it is this type of lapse that needs addressing at Premiership level.
Klopp blamed the dryness of the pitch. If he is correct, and to be honest, he should just learn to accept that his team were second best, I would suggest that, if the grass was NOT as well watered as it normally is, it might have been yet another decision that Marco Silva got spot on today.
Onwards and upwards!
Joyful weekend! Superb Whites led by Silva.
It was the closeness and tenacity of our challenging that stood out. This underlines the likeliness of injury and thus the need for fit, non-injury-prone, skilful players as the back-up.
COYW
Agree with the report and all comments. 2 points droped today rather than 1 gained. Marco’s tactics and teams carry out of the plan was well achieved. Glad that most of last year’s squad got a run out. Mitro not for just scoring but tracking back and doing all the hard bits was outstanding. Harison with Palhinio ran the midfield show. But all the players played out of their skins…giving belief for the remainder of the season.