14/12/2024–|Last updated: 12/14/202410:11 PM (Mecca time)
Liverpool, lacking since the 17th minute, continued to lose points by falling into the trap of a second draw in a row, and it was against its guest Fulham 2-2 on Saturday in the opening of the 16th round of the English Premier League (Premier League).
The league leaders escaped the trap of Fulham, which was on the verge of inflicting a second loss on its host at home this season, as it took the lead twice through Brazilians Andreas Pereira (11) and substitute Rodrigo Muniz (76), but Dutch coach Arne Slot’s men responded through Dutchman Cody Khakbo ( 47) and Portuguese international substitute Diogo Jota (86).
Liverpool, which played with 10 players since the 17th minute after its Scottish international defender Andrew Robertson was sent off, was satisfied with one point for the second match in a row after drawing with its host Newcastle 3-3 in the last stage, raising its score to 36 points with a postponed match against its neighbor Everton.
Liverpool, which played the match in the absence of its Argentine international midfielder Alexis McAllister due to suspension, temporarily moved away by 5 points from its direct chaser Chelsea, which has the chance of reducing it to two points if it wins over its guest Brentford on Sunday.
Former Manchester United midfielder Pereira gave Fulham the lead in the 11th minute after receiving a ball from American defender Anthony Robinson.
Liverpool suffered a painful blow when Robertson was sent off for obstructing Welsh striker Harry Wilson on his way to go one-on-one with Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker (17), and Wilson took the free kick a few centimeters above the crossbar (21).
Khakpo almost equalized with a header from close range in the hands of German goalkeeper Bernd Leno (39), and Colombian international winger Luis Diaz wasted a golden opportunity after receiving a cross from Hungarian international Dominik Soboszlai in front of the goal, so he sent it over the crossbar (41).
The 100th assist for Salah
Liverpool succeeded in equalizing at the beginning of the second half when Egyptian international Mohamed Salah passed a cross in front of the goal, followed by Khakpo with a header from close range to the right of goalkeeper Leno (47).
It is Salah’s 100th assist with Liverpool and the 13th this season.
Khakpo almost gave Liverpool the lead with a strong, creeping shot from inside the area in Leno’s hands (50).
Defender Joe Gomez tried his luck with a creeping shot from outside the area into Leno’s hands (56).
Salah almost did it with a powerful shot from inside the area following a counterattack and a pass inside the area from Soboslai, but it passed near the right post (65).
Substitute Muniz restored Fulham’s lead following a counterattack, after which Nigerian international Alex Iwobi passed a ball behind Trent Alexander-Arnold inside the area to Robinson, who set it up for Muniz coming from behind, and he followed it into the empty goal despite Gomez’s attempt to clear it (76).
Liverpool continued its pressure and succeeded in equalizing through Jota after receiving a pass from the other Uruguayan international substitute, Darwin Nuñez, so he manipulated Spanish defender Jorge Cuenca and shot it with his right into the goal (86).
Jota almost added his second and third personal goal for his team following confusion in front of the goal, but his ball hit one of the defenders and turned into a corner that did not yield results (90+3).
Alisson saved his goal from a third goal by blocking a powerful shot by Spanish substitute Adama Traoré from inside the area (90+6).
Arsenal draw
Arsenal’s condition was not better than Liverpool, and in turn fell into the trap of a second draw in a row, losing to its guest, Everton, negatively.
The home side dominated the ball, but lacked its usual effectiveness and was frequently frustrated by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who blocked a series of dangerous opportunities, while Everton did not pose any significant threat to David Raya, the London club’s goalkeeper.
Arsenal continued to control the match after the break, but became frustrated as time passed and was unable to translate its control into victory and seize the 3 points.
Coach Mikel Arteta’s team remained in third place with 30 points from 16 matches, one point behind second-placed Chelsea. Everton ranks 15th with 15 points.
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