Liverpool stunned as Fulham clinch last-minute draw

Fulham 2-2 Liverpool

Fulham: Harry Wilson (17'), Harrison Reed (90'+7)

Liverpool: Florian Wirtz (57'), Cody Gakpo (90'+4)

Liverpool made some surprise changes in attack, with Cody Gakpo starting as a striker instead of Hugo Ekitike. Arne Slot explained that the French forward suffered from DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) during training, prompting the decision not to risk using him. Even without a recognised striker, Liverpool outclassed Fulham in the opening minutes.

However, the home side struck first through a through ball to Harry Wilson. Fulham went into the break leading 1-0, before Liverpool found an equaliser early in the second half when Florian Wirtz finished inside the box from Conor Bradley’s pass. The Reds continued to press and thought they had secured victory in stoppage time as Gakpo headed home to put Liverpool in front.

Just three minutes later, Fulham levelled again. Harrison Reed scored from outside the box, curling the ball into the top corner with Alisson unable to intervene. The match ended 2-2, marking Liverpool’s second draw since the start of 2026.

After the match, Slot reflected on Fulham’s goals: "I think if you are not a part of Liverpool and you don't follow us every game then you think you will win it. But unfortunately, I am experiencing this for months now that the first chance the other team gets and the only chance they got in the first half led to a goal. That's one thing we usually see with us. The second thing we see a lot is that the other team scores a goal you don't expect in extra time, so this is then a surprise".

"That is true [on whether players were 'guilty' of dropping too deep for Reed's late goal], but we've conceded throw-ins and set-pieces quite a lot this season. We have a certain set-up, which the players did, and if the long throw comes in, I think we had the box very well covered.

He added: "Ideally indeed when then they don't take it long, we come out earlier and faster, but you have to give credit to that incredible strike as well because what are the odds that a ball from over there goes in? I don't think a lot. I think xG-wise this is not a big chance, but we do concede".

The draw kept Liverpool in fourth place, with Manchester United and Chelsea also sharing points in the same gameweek. However, the Reds will need to rediscover their winning form as mid-table sides continue to close the gap. Liverpool now trail third-placed Aston Villa by eight points and league leaders Arsenal by 14 points.