Fulham defender Joachim Andersen says his side had “extra motivation” to beat Liverpool this weekend, with goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz all coming in the first half.
The result was only the second defeat Arne Slot has suffered in the Premier League after being beaten by Nottingham Forest at Anfield back in September. Indeed, this was Slot’s first league defeat away from home since his Feyenoord team lost to FC Twente in the Eredivisie back in October 2023.
“We were told that they had not lost away from home this season,” Andersen told ViaPlay. “That gave us some motivation. However, I expect them to win the league.”
“We know that we can put all teams under pressure,” the Danish center-back continued. “Those were some great goals, and everyone just worked really hard.”
Fulham, after its victory, is now only two points behind seventh-placed Newcastle United, though the Magpies have two games in hand. Eddie Howe’s side plays Leicester City later today and then still need to play Crystal Palace — the match that was postponed to make room for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Marco Silva’s men are only four points behind Manchester City in fifth, a position that is likely to be enough for a Champions League spot thanks to the English team’s good performances in Europe boosting the Premier League’s coefficient.
(Image: Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images)
“It’s clear that it’s close,” Andersen added. “Now we have seven finals left, and it’s just about giving it the gas. We’re going for a great position, and we’re going for the big thing.”
Liverpool.com says: Next season, teams will be desperate to turn up against the league champion. Going to Anfield is always one of the biggest games of the campaign for most clubs, but that will be ramped up even more.
Liverpool will have to be ready for such a challenge. The Reds will go into the 2025/26 season as favorites to win the Premier League title — the first time that has ever been the case. With that will come a different kind of pressure.
This season, there was no expectation on Slot to win the title. Rather, most people expected a post-Jurgen Klopp slump. No matter who leaves in the summer, that won’t be true next time around.
