Sunday Fulham Stuff - 15/12/24...

[WhiteJC]

Results

Saturday 14/12
Arsenal	0-0	Everton
Liverpool	2-2	Fulham
		Pereira Muniz
Newcastle	4-0	Leicester
Wolves	1-2	Ipswich
Forest	2-1	Villa

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool 2-2 Fulham
The returning Diogo Jota scored a late equaliser as Premier League leaders Liverpool twice fought back with 10 men to deny Fulham following Andy Robertson's red card at Anfield.

Jota, sidelined with injury since October, slotted in an 86th-minute leveller after Rodrigo Muniz looked to have ended the Reds' second-half resistance.

Cody Gakpo's header from Mohamed Salah's sublime cross shortly after half-time had cancelled out Andreas Pereira's 11th-minute opener.

Six minutes after Pereira volleyed Fulham ahead, Liverpool's task became even tougher when Robertson was dismissed for denying Harry Wilson a goalscoring opportunity.

While Fulham centre-back Issa Diop had earlier escaped with a booking for a high challenge on the offside Robertson, there was no such fortune for the Liverpool left-back and a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) review confirmed Wilson was onside before pouncing on his mistake.

After Wilson fizzed the resulting free-kick narrowly over Alisson's goal, Liverpool reset and continued to cause Fulham problems - but Luis Diaz headed over the hosts' best chance before half-time.

However, a re-energised Liverpool stormed out of the blocks in the second half and Gakpo's instant leveller after the restart sparked the Anfield crowd into life.

Fulham's failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage fuelled Liverpool's belief and Salah twice went close to completing the turnaround but could not find the target before Muniz delivered a sucker punch.

There was to be one final twist late in an enthralling contest when Jota marked his return with a fine finish to set up a chaotic, breathless conclusion, with both sides made to settle for a point.

After a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle 10 days ago, Liverpool's title rivals were able to make up further ground after last weekend's Merseyside derby against Everton was postponed by severe weather.

But they extended their lead over Chelsea, who host Brentford on Sunday, to five points after third-place Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by Everton.

10-man Liverpool show fight to earn point
One goal, one red card, four yellow cards - and that was just the opening half an hour on a frenetic afternoon at Anfield.

Diop was relieved to see the offside flag - and perhaps fortunate to be shown only a yellow - for his tackle on Robertson inside the Fulham penalty area after just 61 seconds, before Pereira's opener stunned Anfield.

The Brazilian's well-taken finish evaded Alisson with a slight deflection off Robertson's thigh - and the Scotland international's fortunes did not improve from there as, with 17 minutes on the clock, VAR offered him no reprieve after he felled Wilson.

Liverpool, with Ryan Gravenberch deployed as makeshift centre-back, stuck to their task, despite Fulham's ever-present threat on the counter-attack, and ended the first half with 61% possession.

Manager Arne Slot watched his side take reward for their aggressive start after the break, courtesy of Salah's quality delivery to the back post.

But even that moment was not without an element of drama as VAR reviewed - but cleared - a potential foul by Luis Diaz on Kenny Tete before Gakpo finished.

To Liverpool's credit there was little evidence of their numerical deficit as they chased a winner, but they once again faced an uphill task after Muniz guided in a cut-back by the excellent Robinson.

The teams continued to trade blows until the final whistle blew after 100 minutes, but Jota ultimately had the final say with his late strike to ensure their advantage at the summit remains a healthy one before Chelsea take their turn to respond.

Fulham, meanwhile, will be frustrated they could not earn their first Anfield win since March 2021 but their solid start to the season - the second-best in the club's Premier League history - continues.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cevgx8ml0p3t

[WhiteJC]

Post-Liverpool Press Conference
Marco Silva told the press that his side respected the quality of league leaders Liverpool, but could have come away from Anfield with all three points.

"We are leaving here with a mix of feelings, I have to say, when you are leading the score twice, and of course, Liverpool after 20 minutes playing with ten men. Of course, we got the feeling that we should have won the game. I think the first 20 minutes from ourselves and the way we started the game showed the trust on ourselves, as well, massive respect with Liverpool, of course, the quality they have.

"But you know, when you come here, we know that it is going to be always a little bit electric game, if I can say this way, because if you are open with the quality they have, and with the crowd behind them in some moments, they can be unstoppable. But we took that risk and we show from the first minute that we are here to try to win the game, and because of that, we started so well and leading the score, our dynamic attack created a lot of problems for them.

"I felt that we should have kept more of the ball bit better to try to make them to run more. That was something that I felt that we have, a lack of possession of the ball, to make Liverpool run a little bit more. We tried to adjust at half-time that situation, to go in a direction that we can keep the ball more ourselves. Of course, the early second half goal from Liverpool made a massive impact, but even so, I think we reacted well.

"This afternoon Alex, a little bit more inside, create a lot of problems for Liverpool. We knew that with the position of Salah a little bit more inside we should create more problems for them (on the left) and we did, I think, all the game. Even in the first minutes of the game we scored the first goal, and the second goal is more or less in the same in the same way. But, arriving in so many moments four against three, three against two, three against three, we should have taken better decisions to create more clear chances."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/december/14/post-liverpool-press-conference/

[WhiteJC]

Late equaliser denies Fulham against 10-man Liverpool
Diogo Jota's late equaliser denied Fulham victory at Anfield against 10-man Liverpool.

Andy Robertson was sent off after just 17 minutes – after Andreas Pereira put the Whites in front.
Liverpool recovered to level early in the second half via a brave header by Cody Gakpo, before substitute Rodrigo Muniz forced home a second goal for Fulham.

The visitors, however, were to be denied when Jota netted late on for the draw – an outcome which takes Marco Silva's men up to ninth in the table.

Fulham took the lead in the 11th minute following a bright start. A sweeping move which began with a pass by Harry Wilson to Antonee Robinson down the left – and the full-back's cross found Pereira at the far post, where the Brazilian cleverly hooked the ball past keeper Allison Becker.

And to add to Liverpool's early struggles, they went a player down when Robertson was red-carded.

The Scotland international lost possession in front of the Reds penalty area and subsequently denied the raiding Wilson a scoring opportunity.

The sending-off hampered Arne Slot's side throughout the first half as Fulham restricted opportunities to a minimum for the hosts.

Liverpool, predictably, came out strongly after the interval and they equalised in the 48th minute.

Picking up possession on the right side of midfield, Mohamed Salah swept in a precise, angled cross, and Gakpo dived to power home a header from two yards out.

Salah flashed a couple of shots wide of Fulham keeper Bernd Leno's goal as Liverpool appeared more dynamic.

The Whites responded well, though – and they went ahead once more after 76 minutes.

Muniz , who came on for Raul Jimenez, turned the ball into the net following a neat combination between Alex Iwobi and Robinson down the left-hand side.

Former Fulham midfielder Harvey Elliot almost equalised with a bending shot amid frantic attempts by the Reds to score.

Fulham could not hold on – and with five minutes remaining Liverpool equalised for the second time. Substitute Jota turned past Jorge Cuenca before drilling home from just inside the penalty area.
Fulham: Leno, Tete (Castagne 54), Robinson, Cuenca, Diop, Berge, Lukic, Iwobi, Wilson (Traore 86), Pereira (Smith-Rowe 68), Jimenez (Muniz 68)
Subs not used: Benda, Vinicius, King, Sessegnon, Godo



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/liverpool-v-fulham-report-141224

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool 2-2 Fulham: Ten-man Reds prove Premier League title credentials in thrilling draw
Andy Robertson sent off as Arne Slot's side battle back twice

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot lost his cool but the returning Diogo Jota retained his with a clinical late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham and extend the Premier League leaders' unbeaten run to 19 matches.

Andy Robertson's first-half red card saw the hosts play more than 82 minutes with 10 men but backed by a fevered Anfield atmosphere they made light of their numerical advantage.

They were rewarded for their positive approach as Jota came off the bench after an 11-match injury absence to score in a dramatic finish.

However, the performance of referee Tony Harrington tested the patience of the usually-calm Slot and his third booking of the season means he will serve a touchline ban at Tottenham next weekend.

The Reds head coach had criticised the lack of energy in Tuesday's Champions League win in Girona but after the sending off his side raised the tempo and their game as they harried and hassled Fulham and were eventually rewarded with Cody Gakpo's equalising diving header.

Robertson had been culpable for Andreas Pereira's 11th-minute opener and his attempt to recover from a poor touch succeeded only in bringing down Harry Wilson, which Harrington deemed to be a denial of a goalscoring opportunity even though the ball had rolled to Raul Jimenez who shot over.

The Scotland captain had been at the centre of the action for the short time he was on the field as in only the second minute he was caught by a high boot by Issa Diop who was only booked by Harrington, setting the tone for what was to follow.

But he allowed Pereira to find space at the far post to volley Antonee Robinson's cross, which the left-back deflected past goalkeeper Alisson Becker for the first goal at Anfield in seven hours and 20 minutes. However, his second mistake was even more costly.

What followed was more chaos than Slot had witnessed in all of his previous 22 matches as a short-lived switch to a back three, with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch dropping back, was quickly abandoned as Joe Gomez moved to left-back and Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to his defensive position on the opposite flank.

The control which Slot demands was lacking with even the mild-mannered Gomez getting into a scuffle with Kenny Tete with both fortunate to escape without cautions, another baffling decision by Harrington.

But with the Liverpool boss maintaining his bold approach, eschewing the option of putting on another defender, Liverpool stepped up the pressure but had only Luis Diaz's header over to show for their first-half efforts as Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic did a brilliant blocking job in front of back four.

However, two minutes into the second half, Mohamed Salah cut in from the right and curled a cross to the far post where Gakpo scored his seventh in 10 matches, with the Netherlands international then forcing Bernd Leno into a low save.

Salah's customary instincts in front of goal deserted him when he drove wide in a four-on-two attack and when Liverpool needed their star performer most the Egypt international, who had given Robinson a testing time in the first half, was found wanting.

That miss looked pivotal when substitute Rodrigo Muniz deflected in Robinson's cross 14 minutes from time and after Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez both sent efforts wide, Jota proved his long injury lay-off had dulled none of his predatory instincts by sending Leno the wrong way from the middle of the penalty area.

Alisson's save from Adama Traore safeguarded the point and with Everton doing their neighbours a favour by drawing at Arsenal, Liverpool stretched their lead at the top to five with second-placed Chelsea hosting Brentford on Sunday.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-fc-vs-fulham-premier-league-result-2024-b1200016.html

[WhiteJC]

"He's Very Lucky": Delaney Says Liverpool Harshly Denied Red Card Decision
Liverpool's imperious run looked to be on the rocks as they had as bad a first half as they could've thought of in their Premier League clash with Fulham.

The Reds went 1-0 down after just 11 minutes as former Manchester United man Andreas Pereira stretched out to meet Antonee Robinson's cross at the back post to give the Cottagers the lead in front of The Kop.

Liverpool's misery was compounded just minutes later as Andy Roberston was given the marching orders just after 17 minutes as he was deemed to have denied a goal-scoring opportunity after Harry Wilson nicked the ball off the Scottish fullback.

However many believed that Fulham's goalscorer Andreas Pereira was lucky to get away with a challenge on Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch earlier in the match.

Moments before he scored, Pereira caught the Dutchman on the back of calf/achilles area and Graveneberch went down clutching his leg. He was able to continue but Pereira was just given a yellow card for the challenge and VAR deemed it not enough to upgrade to a red.

Liverpool fans weren't the only ones who were enraged by the non-decision but former Crystal Palace and Ireland man Damien Delaney voiced his displeasure with Tony Harrington and VAR's decision to not send off Pereira.

Speaking on Premier Sports at halftime of the clash, Delaney didn't beat around the bush with his belief that Pereira should've been given a red card.

    He should've been sent off for this absolutely. That ball is gone, he's trying to slow down the counter attack and he could've just clipped his heels but that is down the back of his calf. Look at the way his ankle gets trapped, that could've done some serious damage to be honest with you.

    I get what he's trying to do, to stop Gravenberch, but the manner in which he did it should've been upgraded to a red card.

Shay Given also gave his view on the non-decision and how he felt it's definitely should've been upgraded by VAR considering other red cards we've seen this season.

    We've seen less red cards given for less, haven't we this season. Think he's very, very lucky and ironically for Liverpool couple minutes later he gets the goal.

They weren't the only two who felt the Brazilian should've been sent off as former Premier League Referee Mike Dean agreed that Pereira should've been sent off challenge on Gravenberch, feeling that it was cynical.

    He's nowhere near the ball. He knew what he was doing. It's 100 per cent a red card.

It looks like that challenge will just become another in an ever growing list of controversial VAR decisions.

It potentially could've been a costly decision for the Reds as Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham the 2-1 lead with just under 15 minutes to go after Cody Gakpo put away Mohamed Salah's cross to equalise for Liverpool.

However Diogo Jota gave Liverpool another equaliser in the 85th minute as the matched ended 2-2. Jota's goal prevented Arsenal from gaining any ground on them as the Gunners also drew 0-0 at home to Everton.

Liverpool remain top of the Premier League table, 5 points clear of Chelsea who play Brentford on Sunday.



https://www.balls.ie/football/liverpool-fulham-perreira-red-card-delaney-dean-618302

[WhiteJC]

Virgil van Dijk aims swipe at 'nervous' referee following Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Fulham... as Premier League leaders fume at Andy Robertson red card in Anfield thriller

    Virgil van Dijk insisted the referee was 'nervous' in Liverpool's draw with Fulham
    Tony Harrington sent Andy Robertson off during a dramatic 2-2 draw at Anfield

After Andreas Pereira fired the visitors into an early lead at Anfield, the Reds were dealt another blow when left-back Andy Robertson was sent off just 17 minutes in.

The Scotsman miscontrolled an interception and subsequently brought down an onrushing Harry Wilson on the edge of the penalty box.

Harrington appeared to hesitate initially as a lengthy VAR check ensued, before showing Robertson a red card and reducing the hosts to ten men for the remainder of the game.

Liverpool levelled through Cody Gakpo following the restart, but Marco Silva's side again found their way in front thanks to a goal from substitute Rodrigo Muniz.

The hosts continued in their hunt for an equaliser into the closing stages and were rewarded for their efforts when Diogo Jota drilled his strike into the bottom corner to ensure Liverpool did not leave Anfield empty handed.

Speaking following the game Van Dijk hailed his side's resilience but insisted that both teams were in agreement regarding the referee's performance.

'A great comeback is very positive,' Van Dijk said on Sky Sports 'It's disappointing having 10 men but we showed fight, kept trying to create chances. Could have been more but we take the point and move on.

'Stay calm. It's easier to say than do it. It was always going to be tough against them. We saw it last year and last week against Arsenal. We had to turn it around and keep fighting. We tried.

'I had conversations with the players of Fulham and we felt like the referee was nervous. He couldn't properly communicate with Robertson I felt.'

However, despite his comments, the Dutchman insisted that the official was not to blame for his side failing to secure all three points for just the third time this season.

He added: 'We can't put the blame on the referee. We all speak about protecting the referee but I couldn't speak to him. It shouldn't be a big thing because he isn't why we dropped points.

'It is what it is. We take the points, recover quickly and be ready for the game on Wednesday.'

The result sees Arne Slot's side move to five points clear of their nearest rivals Chelsea in the title race.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14193037/Virgil-van-Dijk-aims-swipe-nervous-referee-following-Liverpools-2-2-draw-Fulham-Reds-captain-fumes-Andy-Robertson-red-card.html

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool 2-2 Fulham: PL leaders salvage late point against Robinson-inspired Cottagers
Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson caused havoc for Liverpool, assisting both goals for his side, though they failed to cling onto a lead twice against the Premier League leaders.

Before the game, it was suggested by some that Robinson had a chance to audition for the Reds by playing against them. The USA left-back has been linked with a move to Anfield, and that Andy Robertson was sent off in the early exchanges may only fuel those links.

It will have been ideal for Robinson, then, that he assisted the goal to put Fulham ahead in the 11th minute, and continued causing havoc down the left flank throughout the game.

He and Alex Iwobi were perfectly in sync, and the left-back stunned Liverpool for a second time when he bombed down the wing, outmuscled a Reds defender to receive a pass from Iwobi, and turned the ball across to Rodrigo Muniz, who put Fulham ahead after Cody Gakpo had levelled terms in the 47th minute.

But for a second time, Fulham failed to hold onto their lead, when in the 85th minute, the relentless Liverpool side saw Diogo Jota turn a brilliant effort past Bernd Leno.

Both sides went for the jugular beyond that point, but the thrilling battle ended a fitting draw at 2-2.

After the match, Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his side for their efforts with only 10 men.

"I don't think I could've asked for more from my players, especially after going down to 10 men. I couldn't have asked for more in terms of performance and results. of course, we could have had two points more," he said.

"At the start of the game, you always want to start intense. After 30 seconds, one of ours was on the floor and needed treatment for a while so we couldn't get the intensity more."



https://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-2-2-fulham-pl-leaders-salvage-late-point-against-robinson-inspired-cottagers

[WhiteJC]

Andy Robertson left with egg on his face after bold Liverpool comments last month
The Scotsman endured a nightmare start to Saturday's clash with Fulham after being shown a straight red card after just 17 minutes, leaving his side with more than 70 minutes to play with 10 men

Andy Robertson has done himself no favors in proving his critics wrong after being shown a straight red card within the opening quarter of an hour against Fulham on Saturday.

The Scotsman was dismissed with just 17 minutes gone on the clock when he brought down Harry Wilson as the last man, having let the Welsh winger get in front of him following a poor touch when attempting to intercept a long ball through the middle.

Despite a VAR check to see if Wilson had initially been offside, the left-back found himself heading for a very early bath once the decision was not overruled.

What made things worse for Robertson is how his dismissal came when his side were already 1-0 down, having seen Andreas Pereira put the Cottagers ahead in controversial fashion just six minutes before he was shown a red card.

It couldn't have come at a worse time for the left-back, who had recently won back his spot in the starting XI from Kostas Tsimikas, who had replaced the Scotland captain on a number of occasions this season following an up and down start to the campaign.

In fact, Robertson had vowed to prove his critics wrong after losing his place under Arne Slot following October's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, where he admitted he felt "written off" following a disappointing individual display in which he was at fault for Bukayo Saka's opening goal.

"Last couple of games I've been on the bench and I got doubters for the first time in a long time, first time at this club," Robertson said last month, as per ESPN. "But it suits me in this position. I am trying to prove people wrong again. I tried to do that against Villa.

"I want to play every game, of course, but that was not possible. I knew that the next time I got a chance I would take it and that's what I tried to do."

Robertson was restored to the starting XI for the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on November 9 and has retained his spot ever since. However, today's blunder against Fulham poses yet another setback for the left-back as he battles to win over the fans.

At such a crucial and hectic stage of the season, too, he has severely limited Slot's options in that position over the festive break, and now has a lot of making up to do in order to redeem himself - especially if Liverpool goes on to lose against Fulham.



https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/robertson-egg-on-face-liverpool-30588554

[WhiteJC]

Premier League explain why Andreas Pereira ecaped red card vs Liverpool
Andreas Pereira escaped a red card for his tackle on Ryan Gravenberch during Liverpool's win over Fulham.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean branded Andreas Pereira's tackle on Ryan Gravenberch "100 per cent a red card" during the first half of Liverpool's match against Fulham.

However, officials at the VAR centre in Stockley Park reviewed the incident and agreed with on-field referee Tony Harrington's decision to only issue Pereira a yellow card.

The incident occurred when Gravenberch went down under a challenge from Pereira, with the midfielder shown to have raked his studs down the Achilles of the Reds star within the first 10 minutes.

Despite Dean's criticism, the Premier League chose not to publicly explain the reasoning behind the decision.

The Liverpool Echo sought clarification from the Premier League, and it is understood that the VAR supported Harrington's initial ruling, allowing Pereira to continue playing and eventually score the opening goal at Anfield just minutes later.

Dean expressed his disagreement with the officials' judgement, stating on Sky Sports News: "I think judging by what we saw in the week in the programme that Howard (Webb) did (Mic'd up).

"It's the same challenge as Wilfried Ndidi on the back of Cole Palmer. He's caught him just above the achilles with his studs and and scraped down to the top of the boot.

"In my opinion he's nowhere near the ball, he knows what he's doing and it's 100 per cent a red card."

Cody Gakpo struck back in the latter half to cancel out Pereira's goal for the Reds, who found themselves down to 10 when Andy Robertson got his marching orders for stonewalling Harry Wilson's scoring chance.

Rodrigo Muniz restored Fulham's lead late on before substitute Diogo Jota secured a valuable point for the league leaders.



https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1988783/Premier-League-VAR-Andreas-Pereira-red-card-Liverpool

[WhiteJC]

Premier League forced to release two VAR statements during Liverpool vs Fulham
Latest Liverpool news following the thrilling 2-2 draw against Fulham which saw two Premier League statements released

VAR was required on a number of occasions during Liverpool's chaotic Premier League clash against Fulham. A total of nine cards were shown in total with seven coming even before the hour mark and just under half arriving in the first nine minutes.

Andreas Pereira, Luis Diaz and Issa Diop were the players cautioned very early on with the latter's foul checked by VAR for a possible red card which saw a statement released by the Premier League Match Centre.

Their post on X read: "The referee issued a yellow card to Diop for a challenge on Robertson. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee's call of reckless challenge and yellow card." Though a check was done on Diop's challenge, there was a strong belief among many that Pereira should have been sent off for his.

Considering the fact he later gave Fulham the lead, further controversy emerged with former Premier League referee Mike Dean making his thoughts perfectly clear.

"Judging by what was said in the week with the [Match Officials Mic'd Up] programme Howard [Webb] did, it was the same kind of challenge that Ndidi did on the back of Cole Palmer," Dean admitted on Sky Sports. "He goes just above the Achilles and then scrapes down.

"He is nowhere near the ball. He knew what he was doing for me. It should have been a red card." Instead, it was Liverpool that were reduced to ten men with Andy Robertson sent off for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity after a poor touch saw him bring down Harry Wilson as he was bearing down on goal.

In response to the decision, the Premier League Match Centre wrote: "The referee issued a red card to Robertson for a foul on Wilson which denied a goal scoring opportunity. VAR checked to confirm the red card and that Wilson was in an onside position."

Though Arne Slot's side were at a man disadvantage, Cody Gakpo got them back on level terms as he headed home Mohamed Salah's deep cross. The Reds pushed for a winner but it was Fulham that scored the game's third goal as Rodrigo Muniz's scruffy effort from an Antonee Robinson cross nestled in the back of the net.

Liverpool found another equaliser though as two substitutes combined to salvage a point. After picking up the ball in space, Darwin Nunez found Diogo Jota with the Portugal international, on his return to action, expertly turning away from Jorge Cuenca before stroking the ball into corner.

With bundles of time added on, Liverpool had a total of 13 minutes to find a winner but could not do so. Thankfully, their lead at the top of the Premier League table did not change as Arsenal dropped points against Everton. Manchester City and Chelsea meanwhile, are in action on Sunday.



https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/premier-league-forced-release-two-30588490

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool discover PERFECT Andy Robertson replacement
Liverpool's left-back issues have been widely acknowledged this season, but they were laid bare for all to see in this afternoon's 2-2 draw with Fulham.

Andy Robertson firstly didn't track Andreas Pereira for the Cottagers' opener, as a ball from Antonee Robinson was dispatched calmly by the Brazilian.

Robertson was then subsequently sent off on the 18th minute, again not seeing Harry Wilson in his periphery, wildly swinging to clear a through ball and hacking Wilson down with Fulham through on goal.

Fulham's left-back Robinson then tortured Jarrell Quansah for their second, beating him to the byline and finding striker Rodrigo Muniz to bundle the ball home.

It is becoming clear that Liverpool need a different answer at left-back. Kostas Tsimikas has grown into the role this season but is currently out with an ankle injury, and the Reds are now without a natural left-back for this week's League Cup quarter-final against Southampton.

The answer, however, is obvious. In fact, it was on the pitch today.

Antonee Robinson is the next Andy Robertson
Liverpool's links to Fulham's Antonee Robinson should only intensify after his two-assist outing in front of the Anfield faithful. The American duelled well with Mo Salah also, winning a game-high eight duels and having a 60% tackle success rate.

Liverpool's interest in Robinson emerged last winter with a price tag of £40m discussed and has re-emerged as a candidate for Liverpool to go in for as early as the coming transfer window.

And as laid out in this article, Robinson himself would be open to a move to Merseyside.

"Obviously, it comes down to if someone wanted me enough to pay what Fulham would want, and if Fulham saw that as a good idea, then I'd leave," he previously said.

He also enjoyed his battles with Salah in the past, as mentioned in an interview with The Athletic.

"We played Liverpool in the first game of the season two years ago," he said, "We drew 2-2. I remember saying to my friends, who are all big Liverpool fans and came down because it was around my birthday, 'Lads, if Salah scores or gets an assist this game, I'll pay for dinner tonight', so I put a bit of added pressure on myself. And he did, annoyingly.

"But I remember him saying to me midway through the game, 'How old are you?'

"So he didn't really know who I was. I must have been 24, 25. He just nodded and carried on with the game. Then, after the game, I asked for his shirt, so we swapped shirts and we were just chatting and he was like, 'You were the best player this game, keep up what you're doing'. That was very nice of him."

All of the fates line up. Salah is a fan. The Liverpool higher-ups are clearly fans. And, after today, it's almost certain that Arne Slot will be a fan too.

If Liverpool are really looking for an answer, they've found it. Now they just need to get it done.



https://www.anfieldwatch.co.uk/liverpool-fc/news/liverpool-andy-robertson-antonee-robinson-replacement/

[WhiteJC]

Positives and Negatives: Liverpool 2-2 Fulham

Jack Stroudley looks back on a hard fought point against league leaders Liverpool.

The dust settles on yet another mentally draining game for Fulham as we come away from league leaders Liverpool with a valiant point, which on another day could've been three. Like clockwork when it comes to our visits to Anfield we huffed and puffed and were undone by a late goal, this time at the hands of Diogo Jota. When those nine additional minutes came I sighed and waited for the inevitable but thankfully we stuck it out and got our due reward of at least a point – but what are the takeaways from our Merseyside trip?

Positives

The American Dream

Fittingly 'Jedi' had the force today as he was once again magnificent in the black & white. Following a solid performance against Bukayo Saka, Antonee Robinson was rewarded with ninety minutes of football against in-form Mohamed Salah but our American full-back was well up to the task. A booking in the first half could've made it a long day at the office for Jedi but his defensive work was once again exemplary. Four interceptions, five tackles, 100% of duels won in the air along with another seven on the floor meant that Salah spent large portions of the game as a bystander – yes he got an assist but by his usual standard he was off it today with zero shots on goal.

Then comes his attacking play which seems to be improving season upon season. Robinson was pivotal to pretty much every Fulham transition with only one unsuccessful cross, four key passes, only five misplaced passes and of course rounding it off with assists for both Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz. Robinson is the epitome of what you want a modern day full-back to be with tough tackling being complemented with tenacious ball carrying and killer deliveries in the final third. The 27-year-old now has all three attributes in his locker and it wouldn't shock me to see top clubs starting to turn their attention towards him in upcoming windows.

Cool, Composed, Cuenca

A first Premier League start at Anfield felt like a trial by fire for Jorge Cuenca who rose through the metaphorical flames and showed why Marco Silva signed him in the summer. Doubling-up with Antonee Robinson time and time again to nullify Mohamed Salah in the first half ensured that Fulham went into the break with a deserved lead. Liverpool piled on pressure during the second period and Cuenca for the vast majority of the game put out fires and was assured at the back.

Twelve clearances, three accurate long passes and a 100% aerial duel success rate showcases the type of game Cuenca had today. Only 25-years-old, the Spanish defender's ceiling is as high as he wants it to be and would've been desperate to impress on his first start, he did just that.

Stormy waters navigated

Following that dismal afternoon to forget against Wolves in November there was a collective groan from Fulham fans about our tricky upcoming run of games with Tottenham, Brighton, Arsenal and Liverpool on the horizon. Little did we know the valiant and brilliant performances that Marco Silva's side would put in during all four of those matches resulting in an unbeaten December (so far). Six points from those four games is nothing to be sniffed at especially when it could've been even more!

I remember saying to a friend after Spurs that if we can keep ourselves in touching distance come Southampton at home then who knows what could happen – we've done just that. Marco Silva and co will be aware of the importance next week holds. There's no point in grinding out these results against the top sides if you then drop points in those games you are expected to win, Southampton at home next week (along with those to follow) have to yield a good points return if this club is serious about the European aspirations they have been murmuring about as the season has progressed.

Negatives

Slow starters again

Exactly what I said last week against Arsenal, copy and paste it into this article. Another week goes by with Fulham conceding early in the second half again. This time the whistle had barely blown with Cody Gakpo levelling the game in the 46th minute following a sumptuous Mohamed Salah delivery. All of that hard work from the first half had once again looked to be undone by our inability to come out of the traps flying and gift the opposition a way back into the game.

That's now eight goals Fulham have conceded this season between minute 46 and 60 along with 15 points dropped from winning positions. Yes it's Liverpool away so that needs to be taken into consideration, but our constant inability to start the second half strong is costing us dearly and could well be the reason we sit here in May going 'what if' rather than renewing passports and booking trips to Slovenia in the Conference League.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2024-12-14-positives-and-negatives-liverpool-2-2-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham players made honest referee admission to Van Dijk immediately after Robertson red card
Liverpool may be left rueing what could have been an ideal opportunity to put the pressure on Chelsea with a big three points secured against Fulham.

It wasn't meant to be for Arne Slot's men, who were always going to be facing an uphill battle to fight back with only 10 men on the pitch.

Andy Robertson, who was correctly shown a red card after taking out Harry Wilson and denying the Welshman a clear goalscoring opportunity, may have quite the bone to pick with on-pitch official Tony Harrington.

The referee, with the complicity of VAR, failed to penalise what appeared to be red card-worthy offences firstly from Issa Diop and then from goalscorer Andreas Pereira against Ryan Gravenberch.

There can be no complaints over the call that left Liverpool short a man, but a little consistency in decisive decision-making surely wouldn't do the game any harm.

Poor officiating didn't help Liverpool
Evidently, Virgil van Dijk and Fulham's players agreed to a certain extent, judging by conversations that took place on the pitch.

Harrington was branded 'nervous' by both parties in what was an erratic affair at Anfield on Saturday.

"I had conversations with the players of Fulham and we felt like the referee was nervous. He couldn't properly communicate with Robertson I felt," the Dutchman's comments were relayed by BBC Sport.

"We can't put the blame on the referee. We all speak about protecting the referee but I couldn't speak to him. It shouldn't be a big thing because he isn't why we dropped points."

Liverpool are set to next take on Southampton in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup before a Premier League rendezvous with Tottenham next Sunday.

The Premier League must raise standard of officiating
We've said it a million times before – but we're sick and tired of seeing games negatively impacted by the quality of officiating.

Yes, we've ourselves to blame for jumping into a hole we'd have to later climb out of in the second half, but there's really no excusing the decision-making for the Pereira and Diop decisions, in our view at least.

Protect referees, absolutely. But then at least show some commitment to improving the standard of referees entering the English top-flight.

Ultimately, it doesn't serve the interests of the Premier League product, does it?



https://www.empireofthekop.com/2024/12/14/liverpool-referee-tony-harrington-van-dijk/

[WhiteJC]

Silva has 'mixed feelings' after Fulham's draw at Anfield
 Marco Silva admitted feeling some disappointment at Fulham having to settle for a draw against 10-man Liverpool.

Andy Robertson was sent off after just 17 minutes – after Andreas Pereira put the Whites in front.

Liverpool recovered to level early in the second half via a brave header by Cody Gakpo, before substitute Rodrigo Muniz forced home a second goal for Fulham.

The visitors, however, were to be denied when Diogo Jota netted late on for the draw – an outcome which takes Silva's side up to ninth in the table.

"We are leaving here with a mix of feelings," said Whites boss Silva.

"I have to say, when you are leading the score twice, and of course, Liverpool after 20 minutes playing with 10 men, of course, we got the feeling that we should have won the game."

Fulham caused problems for Liverpool before Robertson's dismissal, making it clear from the start that they fancied their chances of upsetting the league leaders.

"I think the first 20 minutes from ourselves and the way we started the game showed the trust on ourselves," said Silva.

"We showed from the first minute that we were here to win the game."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-has-mixed-feelings-after-fulhams-draw-at-anfield

[WhiteJC]

USMNT's Robinson leads the way for Fulham with two assists vs. Liverpool
Antonee Robinson is showing no signs of slowing down, with the U.S. men's national team left back offering a standout performance Saturday in Fulham's 2-2 draw at Liverpool.

Robinson, captaining the Cottagers for the fourth straight game, offered assists on both goals as Fulham picked up an impressive road draw against the Premier League leaders. However, Fulham may view the day as a missed opportunity, as Liverpool had Andrew Robertson sent off after just 17 minutes.

Robinson's assists on goals from Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz each gave Fulham a lead, only for Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota to equalize for the Reds. Per Opta, Robinson became the second USMNT player to log two assists in one Premier League game, and the first to do so since Roy Wegerle all the way back in 1993. Since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Robinson's 12 league assists lead all Premier League defenders.

11 minutes into the match, Robinson surged forward in typical fashion, taking a pass from Alex Iwobi before crossing to the back post. Pereira was the only man who could get to the ball, though the Brazilian had to produce an acrobatic attempt to steer the ball past Robertson's attempted block and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.

Fulham got more good news just six minutes later, when Robertson's DOGSO foul on Harry Wilson reduced the hosts to 10 men. However, Gakpo equalized in the first moments of the second half, setting the stage for another Robinson assist. Once again, the USMNT defender connected with Iwobi, though this time the move came via an underlapping run.

Robinson fought through Jarell Quansah's attempts to slow him down before clipping a low ball across the six-yard box at the last moment. That may have caught Alisson by surprise, but what followed was even more of a shock. Muniz had seemingly over-run the ball, only for the Brazilian forward to use a heel flick to stun Anfield and give Fulham a 2-1 lead.

However, the visitors will feel like a win was thrown away, as Jota's equalizer came without a real challenge being put in on the Portugal star as he cut past Jorge Cuenca to equalize in the 86th minute.

"We were on even footing and then we scored and they got a red card," Robinson told the BBC after the match. "They took a lot of risks pushing men high and they were rewarded for it, there was space for us on the break but we didn't capitalize.

"I felt like [Mohamed] Salah was getting the better of me in the first half, I was on a booking but I felt more myself in the second half. We've been managing to pick up results against top teams, that's the difference from last year. We've got injuries. It's all about getting everyone back and staying consistent."

Fulham boss Marco Silva, speaking in an interview posted by the club after the match, offered stronger praise for "Jedi" than Robinson was willing to give himself.

"What a performance. It is difficult to find one moment where he wasn't at a really high level," said Silva. "Not easy to come here playing against a player like Salah, the way normally [Liverpool] like to expose the left back. We took that risk, to go one-v-one many, many times.

"What a performance from him, what a performance. An unbelievable performance from him, and I told him at the end of the game that he has to be really proud of the way he played this afternoon."



https://prosoccerwire-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/usmnt/2024/12/14/antonee-robinson-fulham-liverpool-assists-video-usmnt/76991558007/

[WhiteJC]

Jota denies Fulham at the death
On the face of it, Fulham – who led twice – and played more than quarters of the game against ten men – would consider a draw against Liverpool a disappointing result. But after Diogo Jota buried a late equaliser and the visiting goal came under concerted pressure as the league leaders tried to complete an astonishing comeback, there was plenty of pride in the way the Whites refused to wilt and claimed another creditable point six days after holding Arsenal to a draw at Craven Cottage.

Marco Silva insisted his charges would travel to Merseyside confident that they could pose Arne Slot's side problems having pushed the Reds all the way at Anfield in their previous meetings – and it didn't take long for the Cottagers to prove their head coach's prediction prescient. Issa Diop survived a VAR check for dangerous play a minute in but it was the visitors who passed the ball with precision and produced a flowing move to cut through the Liverpool rearguard.

Diop found Wilson wide on the right and the Welsh winger, who delivered another eye-catching display against his former employers, switched the ball superbly to Alex Iwobi on the opposite flank. The Nigerian played the ball into the path of the onrushing Antonee Robinson, whose lofted cross reached the far post where Andreas Pereira's volley flew into the roof of the net via Andy Robertson's outstretched leg.

The Scottish left back's afternoon started badly – when he was caught by Diop's high foot – ended early when he brought down Wilson as the Fulham forward seized on the Liverpool skipper's sloppy touch to sprint towards goal. Tony Harrington tried to play advantage, with Raul Jimenez's attempted finish cleared by Virgil van Dijk, but a long VAR check failed to find a reason to rescue Robertson. The Londoners were now in the box seat but poor decision making in the final third, plus a sublime saving challenge from Joe Gomez to deny Wilson, meant they failed to put the contest beyond a subdued Liverpool.

Slot opted not to sacrifice an attacker after Robertson's red card – and the home side ended the first half on top. Luis Diaz spurned a glorious opportunity on the stroke of half time when he headed a devilish cross from Dominik Szoboszlai over the bar, but the hosts maintained their momentum after the interval. They made a frenetic start to the second period and were level within two minutes. Mo Salah, subdued before the break, whipped a ball to the back post that Cody Gakpo, who played a hybrid left wing-back/left wing role after Robinson's dismissal, powered past Bernd Leno with a diving header. The goal survived a VAR check for a foul on Kenny Tete, who crumpled to the ground in front of Gakpo – and the roar of the Anfield crowd told you that they felt their heroes could go on and win an end-to-end contest.

Fulham were forced into a reorganisation at right back when Tete, already struggling with a shin complaint, was forced off after being caught late by a ferocious Gomez tackle. The visitors suddenly looked like the side with ten men as Liverpool amped up the pressure and Anfield found its voice. Leno grasped a Gakpo drive from distance after the winger had eased inside Timothy Castagne before Salah somehow failed to hit the target having been played in on goal by Szoboszlai after Liverpool had broken from a Fulham corner.

Salah wasted another decent opportunity as he failed to find the net in the league for the first time since early October. Fulham rode out the storm and came again but Robinson wasted good opportunities to find a team-mate with poor crosses from the left flank. The American international, acclaimed by Silva as one of the top flight's best left backs, still looked like Fulham's best source of a goal and so it proved with thirteen minutes to play. Robinson found Wilson and continued to rampage down the wing after releasing the ball, allowing Iwobi to play him into the penalty. The full back held off Jarell Quansah and squeezed out a cross for Rodrigo Muniz to flick the ball past Alisson after evading the attentions of Gomez only eight minutes after replacing Jimenez.

A second defeat of the season loomed for Liverpool, but their belief never wavered. Harvey Elliott came close to a stunning equaliser against the club where he learned his trade but the midfielder's bending effort whistled just wide of Bernd Leno's far post. It was the understanding between two of Slot's other substitutes, Darwin Núñez and Jota, that delivered another leveller. Nunez dropped deep and played a perceptive pass for Jota, making his first appearance since October, who darted inside the hitherto commanding Jorge Cuenca and dispatched a deft finish past Bernd Leno. Liverpool pushed for a winner during nine minutes of added time with Jota, Nunez and Diaz all seeing shots blocked in a frenzied finale before Alisson palmed away an effort from Adama Traore after another Robinson-inspired Fulham breakaway before the absorbing action came to a close.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold (Jota 76), Robertson, Gomez, van Dijk; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai (Elliott 79), Jones (Quansah 70); Díaz, Gakpo (Núñez 70). Subs (not used): Keheller, Endo, Morton, Nyoni, Chiesa.

BOOKED: Díaz, Jones, Núñez.

SENT OFF: Robertson (17).

GOALS: Gakpo (47), Jota (86).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete (Castagne 55), A. Robinson, Cuenca, Diop; Berge, Lukic; Wilson (Traore 87), Iwobi, Pereira (Smith Rowe 69); Jimenez (Muniz 68). Subs (not used): Benda, R. Sessegnon, King, Godo, Vinicius.

BOOKED: Diop, Pereira, A. Robinson, Berge.

GOALS: Pereira (11), Muniz (76).

REFEREE: Tony Harrington (Teesside).

ATTENDANCE: 60,333.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/jota-denies-fulham-at-the-death/

[WhiteJC]

Silva: 'We were too open'
Marco Silva felt his Fulham side would have been good value for a famous win at Anfield – but believes the Whites 'were too open' after Andy Robertson's red card reduced Liverpool to ten men.

The Londoners led twice through goals from Andreas Pereira and substitute Rodrigo Muniz but were pegged back by a late leveller from the returning Diogo Jota. Silva admitted to mixed emotions during his post-match press conference after the dramatic draw:

"We are leaving here with a mix of feelings, I have to say, when you are leading the score twice, and of course, Liverpool after 20 minutes playing with ten men. Of course, we got the feeling that we should have won the game. I think the first 20 minutes from ourselves and the way we started the game showed the trust on ourselves, as well, massive respect with Liverpool, of course, the quality they have.

But you know, when you come here, we know that it is going to be always a little bit electric game, if I can say this way, because if you are open with the quality they have, and with the crowd behind them in some moments, they can be unstoppable. But we took that risk and we show from the first minute that we are here to try to win the game, and because of that, we started so well and leading the score, our dynamic attack created a lot of problems for them.

I felt that we should have kept more of the ball bit better to try to make them to run more. That was something that I felt that we have, a lack of possession of the ball, to make Liverpool run a little bit more. We tried to adjust at half-time that situation, to go in a direction that we can keep the ball more ourselves. Of course, the early second half goal from Liverpool made a massive impact, but even so, I think we reacted well.

This afternoon Alex, a little bit more inside, create a lot of problems for Liverpool. We knew that with the position of Salah a little bit more inside we should create more problems for them (on the left) and we did, I think, all the game. Even in the first minutes of the game we scored the first goal, and the second goal is more or less in the same in the same way. But, arriving in so many moments four against three, three against two, three against three, we should have taken better decisions to create more clear chances."

Speaking to the BBC's Match of the Day, Silva added:

The game is emotional here. The crowd plays a big part and with the quality of Liverpool, they can almost be unstoppable. it's the risk you have to take because we believe in ourselves. Liverpool are so good and they are winning so good, they are an aggressive team. Everything went to plan for us on the left-hand side.

"I think the red card created more emotion in the game, the crowd played their part. We had to keep more of the ball and make them run more. We reacted well and had so many times three against four, the decision-making has to be better. We conceded a late goal in a moment we were too open and the quality of Jota made an impact. We should have taken three.

"With one player more and leading the score, we should have been more narrow. We were too open and their composure was decisive. The momentum is here and in our group. I have to give credit to our players for their attitude and commitment. We have to go the same way against Southampton next week".



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/silva-we-were-too-open/

[WhiteJC]

Marco Silva makes Antonee Robinson transfer admission after claims Liverpool want him
Liverpool dropped two more points in the Premier League title race as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Fulham at Anfield.

The Reds put on a spirited showing despite Andy Robertson's early red card as Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota equalised after Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz gave the visitors the lead twice.

Robertson endured a torrid outing for the Reds as he picked up an early injury before receiving his marching orders.

For his Fulham counterpart Antonee Robinson, though, it was exactly the opposite.

And Marco Silva had made a transfer claim on the American after his performance at Anfield.

Marco Silva hails reported Liverpool target Antonee Robinson
Robinson has keen admirers at Liverpool and has continued to grow into one of the most reliable performers at Fulham.

Ahead of the game, Silva hailed Robinson and claimed that the Fulham defender could stop Mohamed Salah if he's at the top of his game.

And that was exactly what happened as he largely kept the Egyptian at bay and showed his class in attack with two fantastic assists.

However, the Fulham manager refused to dwell too much on his prized asset as he admitted that he doesn't want to fuel rumours of a potential transfer amid links with Liverpool.

"What a performance, difficult to express in words. It's not the first time," said Silva in his post-match press conference.

"If we have to play again in two days, he's going to be ready again. He's a great athlete and has an open mind to learn.

When asked if he's the best fullback in the Premier League currently, Silva added: "If you're asking the Fulham manager of course I'm going to say yes!

"I don't want to speak too much about him because in the coming January, it's again going to be the same story about Robinson. I don't want to go in that direction. He's very focused on the way he wants to behave so let's keep it like that."

Robinson's stats vs Liverpool
On a night when Robertson was sent off on his home turf, Robinson passed his dress rehearsal at Anfield in some style as he delivered a spirited showing.

    2 assists
    1 clearance
    1 blocked shot
    5 tackles
    7/12 ground duels won
    4 key passes
    1 foul won
    22/29 passes completed
    1/1 aerial duels won
    4 interceptions

Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Milos Kerkez so it remains to be seen if they press ahead with a move for Robinson.

However, their need for a left-back is starting to become abundantly clear as Robertson's indifferent form and Kostas Tsimikas' injury issues have emerged as big problems for Arne Slot.

Whether or not they decide to take action in the January transfer window, however, remains to be seen.



https://www.rousingthekop.com/2024/12/14/marco-silva-makes-antonee-robinson-transfer-admission-after-claims-liverpool-want-him/

[WhiteJC]

'We didn't capitalise,' says Robinson
Skipper Antonee Robinson was disappointed that Fulham failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage as ten-man Liverpool fought back twice to draw an end-to-end encounter at Anfield this afternoon.

The Londoners led twice, through Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz, but Liverpool claimed a point thanks to second half strikes from Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota, despite seeing Andy Robertson red carded after seventeen minutes.

Robinson, who was outstanding at left back once again and set up Fulham's second goal for Muniz, told Match of the Day:

"We were on even footing and then we scored and they got a red card. They took a lot of risks pushing men high and they were rewarded for it, there was space for us on the break but we didn't capitalise.

"They piled the pressure on and were really positive, They brought Jota on. I felt like Salah was getting the better of me in the first half, I was on a booking but I felt more myself in the second half.

"We've been managing to pick up results against top teams, that's the difference from last year. We've got injuries. It's all about getting everyone back and staying consistent."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/12/we-didnt-capitalise-says-robinson/