A first league defeat in 27 games and, frankly, it was deserved. Lethargy, complacency, call it what you will but, for the most part, Liverpool were woeful. An early lead, through a thunderous strike by Alexis Mac Alister, was as good as it got for the visitors until the final minutes, as Fulham made hay while the sun shone.
With Liverpool leading, the following hour was close to a disgrace, with some truly pathetic displays from back to front. Ibou Konate, Andy Robertson and even Virgil van Dijk were guilty of errors that led to Fulham leading 3-1 at the interval. It was as if they thought it was a pre-season friendly and they’d already been crowned league champions. No energy, an apparent refusal to pass forward, second to every challenge, and perhaps a clear indication of just why FSG will need to raid their piggy bank in the summer.
Arne Slot could have, and surely should have, made wholesale changes at half-time, but didn’t. 3-1 down and, as Roy Keane remarked, Liverpool were playing like a mid-table team. Just why it took almost 15 minutes into the second half before Cody Gapko was removed for Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai taken off for Harvey Elliot, who knows? Likewise, if Conor Bradley was fit enough to be introduced as a substitute, why not start him?
At least the changes led to improvement. Bradley and Diaz combining to reduce the arrears with 20 minutes remaining, but where was the desire, energy and purpose from the starting 11? Elliot, surely unfortunate not to have seen more game time this season, almost drew his team level, striking the bar in the final 15 minutes. Mo Salah, on the other hand, was near anonymous and is undoubtedly suffering from a drop in form. However, Fulham should be congratulated on a performance that was the polar opposite of Liverpool.
Maybe this defeat will be a warning to Liverpool that nothing is won until it’s won. With Slot reminding his players, that 11 more points is no easy task and a repeat of the display against Fulham could lead to a collapse that nobody predicted. Certainly Arsenal will feel they are not quite out of the race. Three points at home to West Ham next Sunday are imperative.
