Bernd Leno: The German goalkeeper had little chance with either of Liverpool’s first two goals. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick was perfectly placed in the top corner and he was also grasping for air in trying to get near Ryan Gravenberch’s peach of a strike that restored the visitors’ lead. Might have done better in standing up to repel Diogo Jota’s third but has to be in credit after making two terrific save to deny Cody Gakpo either side of half time. 7

Timothy Castagne: The Belgian international had a fine game from right back. Got forward to good effect down the right flank throughout a busy first half – in an area of the field with Fulham had some joy with Andy Robertson regularly venturing forward to join Liverpool’s attack. Cracked home his first goal for the Whites with an assured finish into the bottom corner that any striker would have been proud of and didn’t let his head drop even when the visitors went well clear in the second half. 7

Antonee Robinson: A tricky afternoon for the American as Luis Diaz and Jota posed all sorts of questions as they interchanged along the Liverpool right and Robinson lost the battle of attack minded full-backs against Trent Alexander-Arnold. Didn’t make any dreadful mistakes but found it difficult to impose himself on proceedings, especially given that the Reds carried plenty of threat going the other way. 6

Tosin Adarabioyo: A day to forget for Tosin, who rounded off a poor performance by getting into the way of a Rodrigo Muniz bicycle kick that looked like it was threatening Alisson Becker’s goal. The centre back hasn’t signed the contract extension with a big wage increase that Fulham have put on the table, so it seems reasonable to assume that he has his heart set on leaving for pastures new on a free transfer come the summer. You have to wonder whether it’s time to pull him out of the firing line and plan for next season especially after such an apologetic attempt at tackling Gakpo in the lead up to Liverpool’s third goal. 5

Calvin Bassey: The Nigerian international’s blend of physicality and pace was tested to the limit against a lively Liverpool forward line – and Bassey largely stood up to the challenge well. Made a couple of crucial last-ditch tackles on Diaz and distributed the ball well from the back as well as being largely blameless for the Liverpool goals. 6

Joao Palhinha: The Portuguese powerhouse fought a raging battle with the Liverpool midfield and Craig Pawson throughout the afternoon. He nicked possession back high up the field and began a move that finished with him placing a shot that lacked power and direction a little too close to Alisson. But his presence proved enough to force the visitors into errors at times and Fulham were very much in the match when they headed in at half time. It was no surprise that he was hooked with twenty minutes to go, having picked up a caution in conceding the free-kick that led to Alexander-Arnold’s opener – and there was inevitability about how the home midfield became easier for Gravenberch to dissect seconds later for the vital third. 7

Sasa Lukic: An industrious effort from the Serbian, but Liverpool’s extra quality in a three-man midfield eventually told in the second half. A blend of combative tackling and creativity helped Fulham make the most of limited possession in the first period, but the Whites were all too easily overwhelmed once Gravenberch’s gem of an effort restored their lead after a prolonged period of pressure at the start of the second half. Fired a half chance over after Muniz’s bicycle kick was inadvertently blocked by Tosin. 6

Alex Iwobi: An below-par performance from the Nigerian midfielder culminated in the crucial error that handed Liverpool control of the contest. Fulham looked to have worked their way out of a tight spot in their own penalty when Iwobi launched a crossfield ball that was seized upon by Harvey Elliott and Gravenberch took full advantage of a bit of time and space to bend in Liverpool’s second goal. It was an afternoon where Iwobi’s mix of flicks, tricks and drifting in from wide didn’t really work – and somewhat surprising that the switch for Adama Traore didn’t come until five minutes from the end. 5

Bobby De Cordova-Reid: Fulham sorely missed the wily wing play of Brazilian veteran Willian, ruled out with a groin injury he sustained during training, but that certainly wasn’t Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s fault. A measure of how Marco Silva values the endeavour of the Jamaican international came in how he was handed the captain’s armband and De Cordova-Reid was at the heart of some of Fulham’s finer first half moments, including a drive into the box that could easily have resulted in a penalty. Did plenty of diligent defensive work as well. 6

Andreas Pereira: Pereira, perhaps buoyed by his brilliance at West Ham last weekend, was lively and looked one of the most likely men to get Fulham back into the game. The home side didn’t have much possession to build on in the first half following Liverpool’s swift start, but the Brazilian popped up in dangerous positions and deployed a range of passes to distribute the ball well in the final third. Forced a fingertip save from Alisson just before Castagne’s leveller. 7

Rodrigo Muniz: A fourth game in a row without a goal for Fulham’s Brazilian forward after his magical March but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying. He nearly squeezed an effort past Alisson at the near post towards the end of the first half after a sharp turn in the penalty area and played a key role in the equaliser despite being bundled over by Jarrell Quansah. Kept working hard despite the scoreline and showed great desire to reach the rebound after the Liverpool keeper parried a late Cairney shot, even if the angle for his follow-up proved too acute. 6

Substitutes:

Harry Wilson: Had a couple of bright moments against his former employers but the game turned decisively into Liverpool’s favour merely seconds after the Welsh winger had been introduced in place of the workmanlike Bobby De Cordova-Reid. 6

Tom Cairney: Quietly, the Scottish international restored a bit of composure to the Fulham midfield after Liverpool’s third goal. His presence in the middle of the park gives the Whites a greater share of possession and poses more of a threat to the opposite defence. Cairney drew a good, low save from Alisson after finding room to shoot from 20 yards or so late on. 7

Adama Traore: This game looked as if it was made for the speedy Spanish winger’s pace but the substitution occurred so late it was proved academic. 6