A patchwork defense that prevented Fulham from being able to attack and prevent goals from being conceded in the same game was the defining characteristic of their final run in the Premier League during the 2020–21 season. Fulham is seeking to demonstrate that such problems are no longer present now that they are back under Marco Silva after beginning their season with a 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah goals offset a brace from Aleksandar Mitrovic, who after 90 minutes is on pace to surpass his 43 goals in the Championship, but Jurgen Klopp will need to make some changes after the game.
On an other day, things may have turned out differently, but when Fulham is out pressing Liverpool, that’s not a good look for the team that is anticipated to be in the middle of the title chase. Jordan Henderson and Luis Diaz did hit the post.
It’s definitely too early to start panicking. It’s not easy to travel to a newly promoted team on the road, but Liverpool had the opportunity to win the game if they upped their game. When Liverpool tried to build from the back, Andreas Pereira was pressing high up the pitch and causing havoc, and Joao Palhinha was strong at the base of midfield, winning three tackles and recording an interception.
It should be interesting to watch what Fulham’s hiring process looks like with Shane Duffy, Manor Solomon, Bernd Leno, and Kevin Mbabu all starting the game on the bench. Mitrovic narrowly beat Trent Alexander-Arnold to the opening goal after Kenny Tete delivered a nice cross into the box.
