Fulham 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday afternoon thanks to a hard fought 1-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The hosts are fighting for their Premier League survival, and after Ryan Babel had equalised a Sadio Mane opener it took a pate penalty for Liverpool to take all three points.
New Fulham head coach Scott Parker was talking his side up before the game, saying they could still pull off a survival miracle, but with problems keeping a tight defence they were always up against it against Liverpool. But it wasn’t easy for the Reds and Jurgen Klopp will be delighted to take the points they needed to keep pace with title favourites Manchester City.
Highlights of the game
Former Liverpool striker Ryan Babel joined the Cottagers in the January window though he hasn’t really sparked the hoped for revival. But he was lively in the opening exchanges of this game, running at the Liverpool defence and, after playing a smart one-two, had a shot charged down.
After a bright start the home crowd became a little edgy, knowing full well that while Fulham desperately needed a win, they were bound to be in for a tough afternoon. The pre-match Fulham vs Liverpool betting tips bore that out; with few pundits backing a shock home win at odds of 12.50.
And on 25 minutes the Cottagers’ task became so much harder, when Roberto Firmino jinked down the left and pulled the perfect ball back for Mane to fire home from the centre of the penalty area. He’s in a rich vein of form and that put the Senegalese striker level on 17 goals with Mo Salah.
Liverpool were having quite some joy down the left flank and when wing back Andy Robertson worked his way into a shooting position keeper Sergio Rico had to make a good save from a tight angle. Babel then created a good chance at the other end, beating Trent Alexander- Arnold before pulling the ball back for Tom Cairney, but the Fulham skipper fired over the bar.
The Reds had bossed the first half possession but only a single goal behind Fulham was just about still in the game, though top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic was getting no change at all out of Virgil Van Dijk.
Georginio Wijnaldum had a good chance to double the lead shortly after the break when Robertson floated a nice chip over, but his header flew over the bar from point blank range.
Liverpool pushed forward in search of the second goal but Fulham hadn’t given up and had the ball in the visitors’ net, but Floyd Ayite was offside when he headed past Alisson. And then on 67 minutes the Liverpool keeper was called on to make his first save, getting down well to stop Anguissa’s low drive.
Mane came within inches of doubling Liverpool’s lead, getting his head to a corner but it crashed off the bar, and then the Reds’ worse fears were realised when Fulham drew level thanks to a defensive howler. As the ball flew over Van Dijk’s head he beckoned for Alisson to collect and then headed it towards his hesitant keeper and Babel nipped in to challenge and then poke the ball home.
Alisson and Van Dijk won’t be keen to watch that one on the Premier League 2019 highlights!
But, much to their relief, the Reds were back in front on 81 minutes when Fulham’s defensive frailties were exposed again. Rico saved well from a fierce Salah drive, but as Mane tried to reach the rebound the Fulham stopper pulled him back and the referee pointed to the spot.
James Milner had only been on the pitch for ten minutes but he’s the man for the big moment; and he shot straight down the middle as Rico dived.
Key statistics
With skipper Jordan Henderson out injured, Klopp started with the same eleven players that beat Burnley last week and they did the job; just.
It all means that Liverpool returns to the top of the league, but poor Fulham remain 13 points from safety.
Sadio Mane’s opener was his seventh goal in five games and he’s now joint top league scorer for the Reds.
But Fulham have lost their last seven league games, and all 11 encounters they’ve had with top six sides.
What’s next?
This was a potential banana skin for Liverpool in a league where there are no easy games. The SBOBET Premier League 2019 looks like it could well go down to the wire. Next week is the international break and then Liverpool has a crunch match at home to Spurs. Mauricio Pochettino’s team has fallen off the pace in the title race but are still highly dangerous customers.
Parker’s Fulham must keep on battling until they are mathematically relegated but it doesn’t get any easier for them. The next visitors to Craven Cottage are…Manchester City!
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
