PLAYER RATINGS: FULHAM 2-2 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool travelled to Craven Cottage for their opening league game of the season and fought back twice to secure a point. It’s two dropped unfortunately as the Reds stutter out of the blocks. Here are player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 5

His kicking was all over the place. Could have done better for Mitrovic’s first as he was beaten at his near post. Went the right way for the penalty but it had too much power on it.

Alexander-Arnold – 4.5

Woeful today. Started very sloppily, giving away possession cheaply a number of times. Asleep at the backpost again for their opener. How many times will he keep committing this same mistake? Played a lovely ball to put Robbo in behind first half, and another for Salah’s goal. Dallied on a cross deep into injury time and gave away possession, story of his day.

Matip – 5

Started well as he tried to dribble out whenever possible. He got very sloppy second half. Passed straight to a white shirt and one pass later, Mitrovic was through on goal to win the pen. Too many sloppy giveaways second half. Given a battle by the Serb.

Van Dijk – 4.5

Poor. It’s not often we see Virgil get done by footwork. It was surprising when Mitrovic cut inside him too easily on one break, and it was even more of a surprise when he stuck a leg out clumsily to send the Serb tumbling. His diagonals were well defended today.

Robertson – 4.5

Poor too. Didn’t provide much in terms of an attacking threat. The one time he was in behind, he fizzed a shot across the face of goal with two teammates waiting for a tap in. Another who gave the ball away loads.

Fabinho – 5

He didn’t asset himself on the game at all. Kept it safe throughout, no imagination with his passes. Set up for a shot by Elliott on the edge of the box and he decided to turn on it, losing it in the process. Klopp had seen enough. Took him off not long after.

Henderson – 4.5

Poor as well. Panicky in possession resulting in lots of turnovers. Gave the ball away unnecessarily and they broke to open the scoring. Fared slightly better as the deepest midfielder late on. Unlucky not to win it late on with his whipped effort from outside the box cannoning back off the crossbar.

Thiago – 5

Couldn’t assert himself on the game much either in the face of a fierce Fulham press. Was uncharacteristically sloppy first half. Pulled up with a hamstring injury early in the second half. Yet another injury.

Salah – 6.5

Bullied by Ream today and kept very quiet for the most part. Only came alive when Darwin came on to offer him an option in behind. Combined well with him and set up his goal before profiting off his touch to slot home a record breaking goal. Still a goal and assist on a quiet day.

Firmino – 4

Gave it away on multiple occasions and offered nothing in the box in terms of a target. His skillsets weren’t what were required today as Fulham were happy for him to drop deep into a congested midfield. Not sure he’ll be starting over Darwin again next week.

Diaz – 6

Looked lively first half and went closest to scoring with a rasping left footed drive which smacked off the post. Should have gotten a tap in but Robertson fizzed the cross too hard. Denied a goal by an excellent block after Darwin’s knockdown. Quiet second half, subbed.

Substitutes

Elliott – 5

Fell over and gave the ball away leading to a dangerous counter. Looked nervous. Sought to combine with Salah down the right but couldn’t really influence the game much.

Darwin – 7

I was surprised he wasn’t brought on at the break. He gave the side a spearhead and caused problems in the Fulham box. Went close a few times before finally flicking home the equaliser. Saw another effort hacked off the line. His understanding with Salah looks promising. A goal and assist off the bench.

Milner – 5

Put in a few crosses. Fell over when a ball broke to him on the edge of the box as he was caught in two minds.

Carvalho – N/A

Volleyed one over. Unlucky with that effort, he got the technique right. Gave away two cheap fouls which helped them relieve pressure.

Jürgen Klopp

I can understand why he went for Bobby from the start but he chose not to make any halftime subs despite his side not managing a single shot on target first half. Thiago’s injury forced him to act and he sent on Harvey and Darwin. From there, all his subs were like for like.

Even at 2-1 down it was Diaz off, Fabio on. Thought he’d chance his arm and go 4-2-3-1 to try and get back into the game. Two points dropped on opening day is an unwanted slow start. There’s work to do for the manager. Injuries aren’t helping at this embryonic stage of the season.