Late Salah strike salvages draw for Liverpool at Fulham

Fulham and Liverpool played out a very entertaining 2-2 draw in Saturday's opening Premier League game. The home side took the lead through Mitrovic's goal just after the half hour mark, but Liverpool, with the introduction of Darwin Nunez, fought back in the second period. Darwin Nunez scored in the 64th minute, but Mitrovic quickly restored Fulham's advantage from the penalty spot. However, Salah's late goal meant Liverpool avoided defeat on the opening day.

Fulham started the game very brightly and Mitrovic nearly scored inside the first minute after Pereira charged down an Alexander-Arnold clearance, but the Serbian hit his effort narrowly wide of the far post. The home side continued to press and Liverpool, who started with Darwin Nunez on the bench, looked shaky at the back and failed to create anything early on.

However, Liverpool had the ball in the net early on when Luis Diaz curled a beautiful shot into the far post after 15 minutes, but Robertson was offside in the build-up and the goal did not stand. However, Fulham continued to pose a threat in attack through Pereira and Palhinha and after 32 minutes, they got their reward. Tete got down Liverpool's left and put a beautiful ball to the back post where Mitrovic rose higher than Alexander-Arnold to give the Cottagers the lead. 

The goal seemed to wake Liverpool up as they finished the first period very strongly. First, Luis Diaz came to within inches of turning in Robertson's cross and then, a few minutes later, Luis Diaz's shot across goalkeeper Rodak struck the far upright. It remained 1-0 at the interval though.

Liverpool also started the second half slowly and Thiago's hamstring injury after 50 minutes saw he and Firmino pulled off by Klopp and Darwin Nunez and Elliott came on. However, Fulham continued to remain dangerous and Kebano nearly made it 2-0, but his effort came back off Alisson's right hand upright.

 

August 6, 2022

At the other end, Darwin Nunez so nearly got on the scoresheet after Salah played a cross to him, but the Colombian's backheel from close tange was well stopped by the goalkeeper's legs. However, he managed to get his goal moments later when Elliott gave to Salah and his pass was turned in by the Uruguayan. 

That goal gave Liverpool a huge boost as Darwin Nunez nearly made it 1-2, but Ream cleared his effort off the line and then Luis Diaz also had an oppòrtunity to score, but Tosin deflected the Colombian's shot wide. However, with 20 minutes remaining, Fulham were awarded a penalty. 

Mitrovic went forward and got into the box before being felled by Virgil van Dijk's knee and referee Andrew Madley pointed to the spot. The Serbian dusted himself down and slotted the penalty to the goalkeeper's left, just out of Alisson's reach. It was the Serbian's second of the game and huge blow for Liverpool who were on top at that moment.

Liverpool did not give up though and Mo Salah got a leveller for the away side in the 81st minute. Alexander-Arnold's ball forward was flicked on by Ream, the ball fell to Nunez, who failed to clear and the Egyptian was there to fire home. Henderson nearly won it for the visitors in the last minute, but the long range shot came back off the crossbar and the points were shared.