Liverpool’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four were dealt a major blow when Fulham’s Harrison Reed scored one of the goals of the season in the seventh minute of added time to earn Fulham a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.
Seconds earlier, it was Liverpool celebrating, with Cody Gakpo finishing from close range for what looked like a sure winner for the champions.
It had been another largely brutal attacking display from Arne Slot’s side and the last thing they needed after Thursday’s dour, goalless showing against Leeds, but they had recovered well from a poor first half to seemingly win the game.
Harry Wilson gave Fulham the lead at half-time before Florian Wirtz equalized, a goal which owed much to Conor Bradley’s footwork. It was his run and pass that set Liverpool’s record signing to score their second league goal.
Gakpo’s arrival in the fourth extra minute, sending the ball over the line from a few yards out, looked to have put them in control in the race to finish fourth, before a remarkable strike from substitute Reed found the top corner from 30 yards out.
Fulham took the lead after 17 minutes. A ball out from behind by Jorge Cuenca was diverted over the top via a devilish shot from Raúl Jiménez, and Harry Wilson rushed in, able to get his shot off before Ryan Gravenberch could pass and finish in the corner past Alisson.
An offside flag paused Fulham’s celebrations, but a VAR review determined Virgil van Dijk had played Wilson in by the narrowest of margins, and the former Liverpool academy player scored his sixth goal of the season.
The first half ended without the champions having had a shot on target, their ample possession used mainly to move the ball past Fulham’s five defenders and with few signs of where a breakthrough might come from.
Gakpo was three meters offside when he put the ball into the net early in the second half, although Fulham’s clumsy and botched attempt to clear their lines in the build-up at least provided reason to cheer.
Alexis Mac Allister headed towards the bar after losing his man in a corner as promising new shoots began to emerge.
Slot’s side looked restarted since the break and the equalizer was clearly coming. He arrived just before time and VAR again had to step in to intervene on the tightest calls.
A beautiful, wild run from Bradley carried the Liverpool right-back into the Fulham box, passing his pass to the onrushing Wirtz who stayed level with Issa Diop through a midge wing before sweeping into the corner.
Liverpool continued to have the upper hand, but the defensive vulnerability that crippled any hopes of defending their title struck again with 13 minutes remaining and nearly cost them dearly.
Antonee Robinson’s simple long pass sent Jimenez clear past Alisson. The Reds goalkeeper rushed to save the edge of his area but failed to hold it, leaving the goal unguarded. Wilson’s follow-up hit the crossbar, Van Dijk put it to safety and Liverpool enjoyed an almighty reprieve.
Some superb late drama followed to give Fulham the draw they deserved, but not the one they expected.
