CRAVEN COTTAGE, LONDON // Liverpool failed to capitalize on Arsenal’s draw with Everton as Arne Slot’s men suffered just their second Premier League defeat of the season against Fulham.
The Reds took an early lead at Craven Cottage as Alexis Mac Allister fired an unstoppable long-range effort past Bernd Leno. But that was as good as it got in the first half for Arne Slot’s men.
A series of defensive mistakes gifted Fulham a way back into the game as Ryan Sessegnon leveled the scores before Alex Iwobi turned the scoreline around.
And worst was still to come before the break when Rodrigo Muniz expertly spun away from Virgil van Dijk before finishing beyond Caoimhin Kelleher.
Arne Slot made changes early in the second half and they had the desired impact as Luis Diaz and Conor Bradley combined to make it 3-2. But the visitors couldn’t find a leveler as Fulham ran out winners.
Liverpool is still in a prime position to win the title but may have to wait a while yet. Here are the key talking points from a disappointing afternoon at Craven Cottage.
Defensive woes
This was a day when all of Liverpool’s industrious defensive work went to pieces. Ibrahima Konate set the scene when he miscontrolled the ball inside his own box, which presented Andreas Pereira the ball inside the Liverpool box.
The Frenchman then failed to deal with a cross into the box for Ryan Sessegnon’s goal, in addition to Curtis Jones’ meager attempts to deal with the ball. Andy Robertson then made three defensive errors for Alex Iwobi’s strike, before Virgil van Dijk was outmuscled by Rodrigo Muniz for the third, as he fired beyond Kelleher.
Right-back gamble backfires
With Trent Alexander-Arnold injured and Conor Bradley only just returning from injury, Arne Slot opted to start with Curtis Jones at right-back.
It was a selection that worked in midweek against Everton, but it backfired at Craven Cottage. The hosts repeatedly advanced down their left, with Antonee Robinson and Alex Iwobi impressing against the overworked Jones.
Welcome return
There was just one change to the Liverpool line-up from the midweek win over Everton, with Cody Gakpo coming in to replace Luis Diaz. There had been hopes ahead of the game that Alisson would be back in time to face Fulham, but he again missed out with Caoimhin Kelleher starting again.
But there was better news with Conor Bradley back among the substitutes for the first time since February and the defender made his return to action just after the hour mark.
(Image: 2025 Harry Murphy – Danehouse)
Second-half fightback
As bad as the first 45 was, the second period was vastly improved, particularly in the final half an hour. Four substitutes certainly helped, with Harvey Elliott hitting the bar in the second half with a curled effort, while Bradley set up Luis Diaz for Liverpool’s second goal on a sunny afternoon in the capital. Federico Chiesa also tested Bernd Leno in injury-time and Liverpool was much better after Slot tweaked his side.
What that means for the table
Defeat brought to an end Liverpool’s 26-man unbeaten run in the Premier League, as the Reds suffered just a second league defeat of the season.
But that’s also three losses in four in all competitions. It also means, despite dropping points this weekend, Arsenal has clawed back a point in the Premier League title race. Liverpool still needs 10 more to wrap up the title, something that now can’t happen in two weeks’ time against Leicester City.
