Liverpool player ratings: Alexander-Arnold stars in comeback،
Liverpool and Fulham played out a Premier League thriller on Sunday afternoon as the Reds came from behind with two late goals to win 4-3 at Anfield.
Liverpool took the lead with a perfectly taken free kick by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who came off the bar before slotting into the net behind Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. But poor defending allowed the Cottagers to equalize when USMNT star Antonee Robinson laid the ball back to Harry Wilson to finish.
A potential goal of the season followed soon after as Alexis Mac Allister produced an unstoppable shot from distance that left Leno with no chance. But Liverpool couldn't hang on before half-time as Kenny Tete scored from a corner.
Darwin Núñez hit the crossbar in the second half and the home side were ultimately punished for failing to capitalize on their chances when three Fulham substitutes combined to put them ahead. An intricate inside pass from Willian found Tom Cairney, whose cross towards the back post was converted by Bobby Decordova-Reid with 10 minutes remaining.
The drama continued in the 87th minute when Wataru Endo hit back, and just a minute later Alexander-Arnold chested the ball in before unleashing a decisive effort.
It wasn't Liverpool's best, but they scored four top-flight goals in a result that keeps the pressure on in the Premier League title race.
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Good points
Liverpool have scored some outstanding goals, with Mac Allister a contender for goal of the season. The Reds' creation of chances allowed them to get past some poor defending.
Negative points
Liverpool's defense needs to be better if they are to stay in the title race, as they could be punished another day by better opposition.
Manager's note
9 — Jurgen Klopp implemented the right tactics on Sunday afternoon and was not responsible for some of the individual errors that led to the goals. His decision to bring forward Alexander-Arnold and bring on Endo ultimately won the game for his team, with both scoring late.
Player Ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Caoimhin Kelleher, 5 – The Irish international replaced the injured Alisson and could have done better on both goals. The first was struck with pace from close range, but it was straight at him, while a poor decision to come off his line on the second was rash.
DF Kostas Tsimikas, 5 years old – Tsimikas looked to support attacks on the left flank and was direct with his passing, but the key moment of the match was Fulham's third goal which saw them beaten too easily at the far post.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 5 – The captain could have been better placed for the opening goal, with Liverpool's defensive line completely out of sync. He improved in the second half, but it still wasn't the best performance by his standards.
DF Joël Matip, 5 years old – A mixed game for Matip saw him deny Wilson in the first half with a key tackle, but he could have shown more conviction in other areas of his defense.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 9 years old – An excellent free kick put Liverpool ahead in a strong overall performance where he thrived in a playmaking role. Even though he wasn't credited with the opening goal, there will be no doubt about the second as he scored the winning goal with a shot that Steven Gerrard would have been proud of.
Lecturer Alexis Mac Allister, 7 years old – Mac Allister couldn't block Robinson's cross for Fulham's first equalizer, but he quickly made amends by scoring a potential contender's goal of the season from 28 yards.
Me Ryan Gravenberch, 6 years old – The 21-year-old looked brilliant when getting in front of his marker in moments where he was able to hit the defense with the ball, which helped Liverpool pick up the tempo in a number of attacks . He was quiet in the second half before being substituted.
Lecturer Dominik Szoboszlai, 6 years – Szoboszlai had some brilliant moments with the ball and it was his dribbling ability that earned Liverpool the free kick sent in by Alexander-Arnold. But he seemed to come in and out of the game in the 65 minutes he played.
FW Luis Díaz 6, — The Colombian international often got the better of his marker Calvin Bassey, forced to commit numerous errors in the first half. Diaz was unlucky not to equalize with a header from an Alexander-Arnold corner that forced a powerful save from Leno.
FW Darwin Nunez, 5 years old – The 24-year-old made a number of strong runs behind the defense but failed to put away his best chance, smashing the ball over the bar following a pass from Salah. It was an off day for the Uruguay international in terms of finishing.
FW Mohamed Salah, 7 years old – Salah had the ball in the net in the first half before it was ruled offside, and he was unlucky not to land an assist with two well-placed passes to Nunez that would have had to be converted into goals.
Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes receive no rating)
FW Cody Gakpo, 6 years old — He had a quiet start to the match, but Gakpo stepped up when it counted. He looked confident on the ball as he raced forward and it was his effort that almost found its way inside the near post, which ultimately led to Alexander-Arnold giving the advantage to Liverpool.
DF Joe Gomez, 6 years old – Gomez was deployed at right-back to allow Alexander-Arnold to play further forward. He was strong in his duels and worked tirelessly on the right flank.
DF Ibrahima Konaté, 6 years old — Signed for Matip, Konaté played a key role in organizing Liverpool's defense late on.
MF Wataru Endo, N/R – The Japanese international is not known for his goals, but he equalized with a perfectly placed shot into the top corner.
