Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot mentioned he couldn’t have requested for extra from the Premier League leaders after they twice fought again with 10 males to salvage a 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday.
The house facet have been observing simply their second defeat in all competitions this season earlier than the returning Diogo Jota rescued some extent at Anfield.
However the dropped factors — for the second sport in a row — imply Chelsea can shut the hole on the high of the desk to only two factors in the event that they beat Brentford at residence on Sunday.
Andreas Pereira put the guests forward early however the complexion of the competition modified dramatically quickly afterwards when Liverpool defender Andy Robertson was despatched off.
Slot’s males got here out strongly after half-time and have been degree within the forty seventh minute when Cody Gakpo headed residence Mohamed Salah’s inswinging cross.
Rodrigo Muniz appeared to have gained the sport for Fulham within the 76th minute however the returning Jota, taking part in his first match since October, levelled 10 minutes later.
“I do not suppose I may have requested for extra from my gamers, particularly after taking place to 10 males,” Slot instructed Sky Sports activities.
“I could not have requested for extra by way of efficiency and outcomes…. Firstly of the sport, you at all times need to begin intense.
“After 30 seconds, considered one of ours was on the ground and wanted remedy for some time so we could not get the depth extra.”
Slot has loved a sensational begin to his managerial reign at Anfield, together with his facet topping the Premier League and the Champions League.
However of their earlier top-flight outing they conceded a late equaliser to attract 3-3 at Newcastle they usually have now dropped extra factors.
Enzo Maresca’s in-form Chelsea will hope to take full benefit once they host Brentford, although Liverpool can have a sport in hand on the finish of the weekend.
Pink card
Former Manchester United midfielder Pereira opened the scoring on the Kop finish within the eleventh minute, assembly Antonee Robinson’s cross on the stretch to beat goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Robertson had been culpable for the opener and his try to recuperate from a poor contact succeeded solely in bringing down Harry Wilson, which referee Tony Harrington deemed to be a denial of a goalscoring alternative.
Liverpool did not get again on degree phrases within the first half regardless of their daring strategy however two minutes into the second interval they have been degree when Salah reduce in from the fitting and curled a cross to the far publish, with Gakpo producing a diving header for his seventh objective in 10 matches.
Salah drove large in a four-on-two assault and that miss appeared pivotal when substitute Muniz deflected in Robinson’s cross within the 76th minute.
However after Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez had each despatched efforts large, Jota, who had solely been on the pitch for a couple of minutes, proved his lengthy harm lay-off had dulled none of his predatory instincts by beating Bernd Leno from the center of the penalty space.
Alisson’s save from Adama Traore protected the purpose and with Everton doing their neighbours a favour by drawing at Arsenal, Liverpool moved to 36 factors — stretching their lead on the high over Chelsea to 5 factors, at the very least for twenty-four hours.
Arsenal are some extent additional again.
