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Monday Fulham Stuff - 08/03/21...

Started by WhiteJC, March 08, 2021, 08:27:27 AM

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WhiteJC

Results


Sunday
West Brom
0-0
Newcastle
Liverpool
0-1
Fulham
Man City
0-2
Man Utd
Spurs
4-1
Palace

WhiteJC

Liverpool 0-1 Fulham


Fulham have lost just once in seven games

Scott Parker said there was "a lot of emotion" after his Fulham side secured a crucial win to give their survival hopes a huge boost and continue Liverpool's incredible slump.

Mario Lemina's goal on the stroke of half-time, after the Gabon midfielder had dispossessed Mohamed Salah, inflicted a sixth successive Premier League home defeat on the Reds and saw Parker's side draw level on 26 points with 17th-placed Brighton.

It was Fulham's first win at Anfield since 2012, while champions Liverpool are now struggling to finish in the top four after another uninspired performance at home.

The Reds, who won the title last season by 18 points, had gone 68 home league matches unbeaten before their current run started with a loss to Burnley in January.

Since then they have also lost on home soil to Brighton, Manchester City, Everton, Chelsea and now Fulham.

"It's a big win. There's a lot of emotion and I am very proud," said Parker. "I am happy for the players and the team because they got nothing short of what they deserved. There was a resilience and real attitude to keep the ball out of the net and defend."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made seven changes following the defeat to Chelsea in attempt to freshen things up, but Fulham were the better side and carved out four chances in the opening half an hour alone.

Ademola Lookman, who was given the freedom of Anfield, twice got behind the inexperienced Reds defence but could not finish while Josh Maja was denied by a brave save by Alisson.

The winner came after Liverpool thought they had cleared a free-kick but Salah was caught on the ball by Lemina who produced an arrowed finish, his first goal since joining on loan from Southampton.

Diogo Jota, making his first start since 28 November, was denied an equaliser by an acrobatic save from Alphonse Areola early in the second half before substitute Sadio Mane hit the post with a looping header.

But Liverpool were poor and have now failed to win their last eight home games.



Weary Liverpool look broken
It was this time last year that Liverpool went 25 points clear at the top of the table after a win over Bournemouth in front of a raucous Anfield crowd.

Twelve months on and Premier League games at Anfield have become an uncomfortable watch for Klopp and this was another stodgy repeat of recent performances.

The Liverpool manager's attempts to shake things up by making wholesale changes backfired as Fulham, who have spent most of the season in the bottom three, took advantage of another inexperienced centre-back partnership in the shape of Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams.

Lookman and Maja were a constant source of worry as they exploited huge pockets of space before Salah, the Premier League's leading scorer, was dispossessed by Lemina for the goal.

Klopp sent on Mane, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold in an attempt to rescue the game but, despite an improved second-half showing, this was another woeful performance which extended an inexcusable run of home losses.

Liverpool, who finished the day eighth in the table, have yet to score a goal in open play at home in 2021.

A plane circled above Anfield during the game towing a banner which read: 'Unity in Strength - Let's Go Reds YNWA'.

But Liverpool, who are in Champions League action on Wednesday, have the weary look of a team who cannot wait for the season to finish.

From 10 points from safety to fighting chance
Fulham boss Parker let out a huge scream of delight at the final whistle after this momentous win.

As recently as 13 February the Cottagers were 10 points from safety, but this result will give them huge belief for the final 10 games of the season.

A performance full of character and spirit was characterised by Joachim Andersen's clearance right at the end, the Fulham skipper saving his side with Mane poised to turn home Andy Robertson's centre.

Too many times this season Fulham have struggled to turn draws into wins but there was a dogged resilience about they way they went about their work.

They are now unbeaten in eight games away from home, their longest without defeat on the road in their top-flight history.

Fulham still have work to do but two wins on Merseyside - this result coming three weeks after a 2-0 win at Everton - has helped transform their campaign.

It's runaway leaders Manchester City up next, but it will be home results against Wolves, Burnley and, on the final day, Newcastle that will determine whether Fulham will be in the Premier League next season.

'We're missing a goal and a clean sheet' - what they said
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "The obvious thing was missing a goal and a clean sheet. It was always clear that Fulham would cause us big problems with the situation they are in and the one we are in.

"It was clear we had to adapt. We started quite well, we were direct and Mo Salah caused them problems but we didn't finish the situations off. Then Fulham were good.

"Our last line was completely new. We had balls in behind where we had to run a lot because we were not high enough or just not in the right position and we conceded the goal."

Fulham boss Scott Parker: "In the first half I thought we were fantastic. We created numerous chances and we stuck to the plan in terms of how we wanted to cause them problems.

"The main thing coming into the game was 'can we put our stamp on it?' - easier said than done of course.

"We deserved this result and we have deserved better results over the last few weeks."

First since Huddersfield - the stats
    Liverpool are the first side to lose six in a row on home soil in the Premier League since Huddersfield Town in February 2019 (seven).
    Fulham are the first newly-promoted side to win away at Liverpool in the Premier League since Blackpool beat Roy Hodgson's Reds in October 2010.
    Excluding penalties and own goals, Liverpool have failed to score with each of their last 115 shots at Anfield in the Premier League (including 16 on Sunday).
    Having kept just four clean sheets in their first 21 Premier League games of the season, Fulham have since kept five in their last seven in the competition, conceding just two goals in this run.
    Liverpool's six league defeats at Anfield in 2020-21 is their most in a single campaign since 1953-54 (also six), when the Reds finished bottom of the top flight.
    All three of Fulham midfielder Mario Lemina's Premier League goals have been scored away from home, each also coming in a different season (in 2017-18 v West Brom, 2018-19 v Newcastle and this season v Liverpool).

What's next?
Liverpool turn their attention to the Champions League on Wednesday (20:00 GMT) as they look to see off RB Leipzig after establishing a 2-0 first leg lead in the last-16 tie. Fulham have a free week to prepare for the visit of runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City next Saturday (20:00).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56227460

WhiteJC

Post-Liverpool Press Conference


Scott Parker was beaming in his post-match press conference after Fulham claimed a thoroughly deserved victory away to Liverpool.

After taking the game to the Champions throughout the opening 45 minutes, the Whites eventually made a breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when Mario Lemina picked Mohamed Salah's pocket before lashing inside the far post.

The hosts improved after the break but some resolute defending from Parker's men ensured we took a huge three points back to SW6.

"I'm immensely proud," he said. "It was a big performance today. First half I thought we were fantastic really, both halves actually.

"In the first half we were the front foot, attacking team I want us to be, we created numerous chances and got our noses in front through some great skill from Mario.

"And second half we didn't want it to pan out that way but you understand if you come to a place like Anfield, with the quality that they possess, that you're going to have to be organised, you're going to have to be disciplined, win some headers, be good in your box.

"I thought the defensive line second half and the organisation from that was top as well. It's a massive result and I'm proud of them.

"The players have taken on every ounce of information they were given in the two, three days leading into this game.

"They worked tirelessly in meetings and obviously on the training field, and they put that into action first half and it worked very well.

"And in the second half, like I said, we had a resilience, something you need to fall back on, certain foundations, and I thought we did that to a tee.

"We withstood a storm but still limited them to few chances."

The win moved us level on points with 17th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and to within one point of Newcastle United.

Parker, though, insists sole attention will remain on what the boys of Fulham Football Club do.

"It's honestly not for me to say," he replied when asked if our win will have concerned those above us.

"We need to focus on us and not anyone around us, not any other results that have gone on.

"We focus on what keeps getting us performances, what makes us better, and the team I want us to be.

"And I know that if that's our main focus, I know we can get results in this league, I know we will be more than fine in this league, I honestly do.

"What other teams are thinking and what other teams are doing is down to them. This is us, and it will remain that way.

"A result and a win like this galvanises, not that this team needed galvanising or a result to give us belief or an understanding of what we can do this year, because that's always been there, and that's the constant message.

"What's happening around us and who we're dragging in is an irrelevance, and that will remain the case.

"If we'd taken any notice or taken the focus off us, we wouldn't be in this position that we're now in, so my message stays the same.

"The players and the team understand it's about us coming in every day, learning, wanting to get better and moving in the right direction. And that won't change."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/march/Post-Liverpool-Press-Conference/


WhiteJC

Deserved win for Fulham as Liverpool flop again at home

Liverpool's inexplicable downward spiral continued unabated as Mario Lemina's first Fulham goal was enough for a 1-0 Premier League win as the struggling Cottagers gave their own survival hopes a massive boost.

Just when Jurgen Klopp thought things could not get any worse, after Thursday's defeat to Chelsea brought up an unwanted club record, they did as he experienced his first loss against a promoted side which consigned the Reds to a sixth-successive home defeat.

So too for Mohamed Salah. Plenty had been made of his reaction to being substituted in midweek so what he really needed to do was lead from the front, having been handed the central striker's role.

What he definitely did not need was to be the reason for Liverpool conceding the first goal for the sixth match in a row at Anfield, his loss of possession on the edge of his own area allowing Lemina to finish brilliantly just before half-time.

The Gabon midfielder became the first Fulham player to score against Liverpool at Anfield since Collins John in March 2006 as they won their first match on the ground since 2012, which on that day came courtesy of a Martin Skrtel own goal.

It meant Fulham's revival, having lost just once in the last seven, are only in the bottom three by virtue of having a goal difference three worse than Brighton.

Liverpool remain four points off the top four and are likely to be further adrift by the time they run out for their Champions League last-16 second leg against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, a game which has taken on far more significance even though they hold a 2-0 lead.

FULL MATCH DETAILS
Klopp's seven changes - including three of his back four - with that in mind were the most between Premier League matches since the 2015-16 season, with the inexperienced pairing of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams the 16th different centre-back combination to have started in 28 league matches.

It was perhaps unsurprising their first-half performance was disjointed, although they managed twice the number of shots on target (two) in the opening half-hour that they achieved in the entirety of Thursday's defeat to Chelsea.

Even with Salah, Diogo Jota - making his first start since December after a knee injury - and Xherdan Shaqiri completing a new-look forward line they still did not look like scoring.

Fulham, however, frequently did with Ademola Lookman a threat cutting in from the flank as the visitors utilised a quick right-to-left diagonal to expose young full-back Neco Williams and the space between him and Phillips.

After Josh Maja hooked wide Lookman twice sprinted clear before working his way into the penalty area to shoot as Fulham looked to carry on the tactic which Thomas Tuchel's side had been successful with.

Maja was also denied by Alisson Becker diving at his feet to prevent a certain goal from close range.

The closest Liverpool came was Shaqiri's free-kick landing on the roof of the net with Salah's first touch letting him down when put through earlier by the Switzerland international.

If that was poor his dithering in possession when Ivan Cavaleiro's free-kick was half-cleared was fatal.

Lemina quickly closed down the Egypt international and superbly seized his chance with a low drive across Alisson and inside the far post.

The same 11 players were sent out early for the second half, the start of which was accompanied by the low buzz of a plane flying the banner 'Unity is Strength. Let's go Reds. YNWA' overhead, and three minutes in Jota's stinging volley produced a brilliant save from Alphonse Areola.

Klopp's first change had to be an attacking one and it saw Sadio Mane replace midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

The forward was not quick enough to react when Shaqiri's corner fell at his feet soon after arriving but was closer with a header which looped onto the post, mis-hitting another - this one from a cross from substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold - into the ground.

There was an air of desperation about the final 10 minutes with Liverpool effectively 2-2-4-2 when attacking, but it made little difference.

A sixth home game in the last eight finished goalless for them and in celebration for their opponents.



https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0307/1201466-deserved-win-for-fulham-as-liverpool-flop-again-at-home/

WhiteJC

Disastrous Fulham win at Liverpool exposes Steve Bruce negativity at West Brom

Scott Parker and his Fulham payers obviously didn't read the script prepared by Steve Bruce.

Bruce overseeing a noon kick-off horrendous negative Newcastle United set-up and display at West Brom.

An appalling match away at a club that in reality already relegated and who have conceded 33 goals at home, 11 more than any other Premier League outfit.

Steve Bruce after the match congratulating himself on what he obviously considered a brilliant point, against a shockingly poor opposition.

Steve Bruce taking for granted that this would mean a four point gap to the bottom three after the weekend, with Fulham obviously losing at Anfield.

However, only one problem with that.

Unlike Newcastle at The Hawthorns, Fulham travelled to Anfield and went for the win.

You may laugh at any expectation of Fulham winning at Anfield BUT only if you are clueless about what has been happening with Liverpool recently.

Their last five PL matches at Anfield had finished:

Liverpool 0 Burnley 1

Liverpool 0 Brighton 1

Liverpool 1 Man City 4

Liverpool 0 Everton 2

Liverpool 0 Chelsea 1

Now you can add Liverpool 0 Fulham 1 to that list.

Just like relegation rivals Burnley and Brighton, Scott Parker's team coming away from Anfield with three points and a clean sheet. Lemina getting the only goal of the game just before half-time.

As George Caulkin of The Athletic commented after today's first two results: 'Newcastle playing like a team who are content to stay up. Fulham playing like a team desperate to.'

The last 16 Premier League games have produced the following form:
Newcastle United – Won 2, Drawn 4, Lost 10, Points 10 Goals For 13 Goals Against 28

Fulham – Won 3, Drawn 9, Lost 4, Points 18 Goals For 10 Goals Against 11

Even West Brom have won more points (12) than Newcastle United have these past three months and sixteen PL matches.

This is how the Premier League table now looks after both Fulham and Newcastle results on Sunday.



As you can see, Newcastle only a point clear of relegation and both Brighton and Fulham have far better goal differences.

Then these are all the matches for the bottom six before the international fortnight later this month:
Burnley – Everton (A)

Brighton – Southampton (A), Newcastle (H)

Newcastle United – Villa (H), Brighton (A)

Fulham – Man City (H), Leeds (A)

West Brom – Crystal Palace (A)

Sheff Utd – Leicester (A)

I can well see Fulham getting a point or even a win at Leeds, whilst that Brighton v Newcastle match on Saturday 20 March now looks massive.

Always in the back of your mind as well is the reminder that Newcastle are away to Fulham on the final day.

Steve Bruce has to be sacked or else he is seriously increasing the chances of NUFC going down for a third time under Mike Ashley.

Stats from BBC Sport:

West Brom 0 Newcastle 0 – Sunday 7 March 12pm

Goals:

Newcastle:

West Brom:

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was West Brom 53% (52%) Newcastle 47% (48%)

Total shots were West Brom 13 (5) Newcastle 9 (4)

Shots on target were West Brom 3 (3) Newcastle 5 (2)

Corners were West Brom 9 (3) Newcastle 7 (4)

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Newcastle United:

Dubravka, Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Willock, Hayden, Shelvey, Hendrick (Gayle 57), Fraser (Carroll 90+3), Joelinton

Unused Subs:

Darlow, Ritchie, Lewis, Fernandez, Manquillo, Murphy, S Longstaff

Crowd: 00,000

(Steve Bruce 'delighted' as Newcastle United make it 2 wins in last 18 matches – Read HERE)

(West Brom 0 Newcastle 0 – Match ratings and comments on all the NUFC players – Read HERE)

(West Brom 0 Newcastle 0 – Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to Sunday's draw – Read HERE)

(I had zero expectations of a decent game and Steve Bruce took us below that – Read HERE)



https://www.themag.co.uk/2021/03/disastrous-fulham-win-at-liverpool-exposes-steve-bruce-negativity-at-west-brom-newcastle-united/

WhiteJC

Disaster strikes for NUFC – Premier League table now looks grim after Fulham pull off huge win

Steve Bruce will tell you that our draw at West Brom is a 'point gained' and solid result, but the reality is it's an absolutely disastrous one.

Why? Because Fulham have just come away from Anfield with a 0-1 win over Liverpool.

One manager set up to get a point against an abysmal Baggies side who've conceded 56 goals this season, the other had total belief in his team and set them up to win against the Champions.

Ok, Liverpool are on a shocking run of form, but the fact we settled for a draw and allowed our biggest relegation rivals to gain two points on us when this weekend's fixtures worked in our favour speaks volumes. One side is playing well and on the up, the other is being led by a deluded and incapable manager who was "really, really pleased" with our result at The Hawthorns.

As a result, Fulham are now just one point behind us in the table with significantly better goal difference:



Brighton's late defeat to Leicester last night seems all the more important now, however they have plenty winnable fixtures to come and, like Fulham, look like a side capable of turning good performances into points.

Steve Bruce deserves a bucket load of criticism, but Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley need to wake up and smell the coffee.

You'd think we'd have learned our lesson by now, yet here we are sleepwalking towards a third relegation of the Ashley era.

What a complete and utter shambles.



https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2021/03/07/disaster-strikes-for-nufc-premier-league-table-now-looks-grim-after-fulham-pull-off-huge-win/


WhiteJC

Parker 'immensely proud' after Fulham's Anfield triumph

Scott Parker said he was "immensely proud" of his Fulham side after their win at Liverpool, where their game plan worked to perfection.

The 1-0 victory moved Fulham level on points with fourth-from-bottom Brighton and just one point behind Newcastle in the battle to stay up.

Defending champions Liverpool have now lost six home matches in a row and Whites boss Parker was keen to exploit their defensive frailties.

He therefore switched to a 4-4-2 formation, with Ademola Lookman causing Liverpool major problems on the flank and Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ivan Cavaliero also offering a constant threat along with striker Josh Maja.

Asked if his team selection was intended to try to expose Liverpool's shortcomings, Parker said: "It was. I picked a team today that I felt would best suit Liverpool's style and how I thought we could hurt Liverpool and that was the sole reason behind it.

"I thought the attacking players were nothing short of fantastic.

"Everything we worked on came to plan; Cavaleiro, Bobby and Lookman stretching the game and with Maja I always want us to be a goal threat and I thought we were that."

Fulham were worthy winners at Anfield, where they dominated the first half and stood firm in the second.

Parker said: "I'm immensely proud. It was a big performance.

"In the first half we were the front-foot attacking team I want us to be.

"In the second half, coming to a place like Anfield, you are going to have to be organised and disciplined."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/parker-says-he-changed-tactics-to-exploit-liverpools-weaknesses-and-it-worked

WhiteJC

Liverpool vs Fulham result: Player ratings as Mario Lemina inflicts another home defeat on the Reds

Visitors secured a massive win in their relegation battle as Klopp's players suffered again


Fulham goalscorer Mario Lemina is surrounded by Liverpool players
(Getty Images)


Liverpool suffered yet another home defeat, losing 1-0 to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Josh Maja and Mohamed Salah both had openings in the early stages, but failed to really get a meaningful shot on target. James Milner and Naby Keita also had efforts from distance, but neither unduly troubled Alphonse Areola.

The away side had been the better team in the first half and got their reward right before the break, Mario Lemina robbing Salah on the edge of the box and lashing in a fine low finish.

Diogo Jota was denied right after half-time by a great save from Areola and the Reds certainly did take a more offensive stance after the break, but few chances were clear-cut and even when Sadio Mane hit the woodwork with a header, there was no finishing touch on the rebound as Jurgen Klopp's side fell to an incredible sixth straight league loss at Anfield.

Here are the player ratings from the game on Sunday.

Alisson Becker - 7. A brave block on Maja to deny a certain goal, but could do nothing about Lemina's hit. Was constantly directing and berating those in front of him.

Neco Williams - 5. Had a torrid first half getting beaten for pace non-stop and was unable to prevent crosses or low passes coming into the box. Sent over a few crosses after the break in a marginal improvement.

Nat Phillips - 7. The most accomplished member of another chopped and changed back line.

Rhys Williams - 5. Did well clearing a series of aerial balls but caught out of position in the centre a number of times.

Andy Robertson - 6. Spent as much time racing back into a messy defensive line to stop counters as he did trying to provide an outlet in attack.

Gini Wijnaldum - 6. Tried to push the team on but was often bypassed by the away side attacking wide.

James Milner - 5. Never really got into the game and was often easily outrun.

Naby Keita - 7. Looked good in possession, carved a few openings but certainly didn't control the game.

Xherdan Shaqiri - 6. A few good moments of build-up play but ultimately no cutting edge.

Mohaed Salah - 6. Looked sharp playing at centre-forward early on, but made a costly error in losing the ball for the opening goal.

Diogo Jota - 6. A few early flashes of speed but quickly faded on his first start after injury. One shot saved after the restart.


Lemina celebrates with his Fulham team-mates
(Getty Images)


Fulham
Alphonse Areola - 7. Two good saves and a commanding aerial presence.

Kenny Tete - 7. Solid in one-on-ones and an outlet when required.

Joachim Andersen - 8. Continued his recent excellent form with an assured performance.

Tosin Adarabioyo - 7. One or two shaky moments but largely shut out the spaces for the home side to attack in.

Ola Aina - 7. Another good showing, this time at left-back. Tucked in well, got out to stop crosses and supported play from deep.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid - 7. Played some good crossfield passes and worked hard throughout.

Harrison Reed - 7. Neat on the ball and protected the defence well.

Mario Lemina - 7. Tremendous strike for the opener. Kept offering support with runs from deep.

Ademola Lookman - 7. Threatened Liverpool non-stop in the first half with speed and dribbling, though should have scored or created a scoring chance given the positions he got into.

Ivan Cavaleiro - 6. Showed pace on the attack at times but more of a support act to Lookman and Maja for the most part.

Josh Maja - 6. Great movement throughout but denied by both Alisson and a poor final pass from his team-mates.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool/vs-fulham-result-player-ratings-b1813620.html

WhiteJC

'No team and no manager has ever shamed the club like this' – These Liverpool fans want 'Klopp out' after defeat to Fulham

Liverpool have extended their unwanted club and Anfield record with a sixth straight defeat at their home, coming against relegation candidates Fulham this afternoon.

Jurgen Klopp's audacious decision to make seven changes to the starting lineup, with one eye on the Champions League tie against RB Leipzig clearly didn't work out, with yet another frustrating display.

The Reds dominated the possession and fired 16 shots on goal, but just three hit the target, Fulham managed the exact same with six less attempts.

Liverpool fell behind right on the brink of halftime after Mohamed Salah was brushed off the ball by Mario Lemina, with the Cottagers' midfielder producing a lovely finish to fire Scott Parker's side ahead.

The 'unity in strength' banner that was flown over Anfield early in the second-half provided a telling message, though it may be an impossible ask considering a glance at some fan reaction on social media.

It's obvious that something considerable needs to change after a disastrous run of eight defeats, three draws and just three wins from their last 14 Premier League fixtures.

Nonetheless, it's shocking to see the plentiful calls for Klopp to be sacked after the transformation that the German has led a the club, surely that isn't the only option for the club?



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2021/03/07/no-team-and-no-manager-has-ever-shamed-the-club-like-this-these-liverpool-fans-want-klopp-out-after-defeat-to-fulham/


WhiteJC

Mario Lemina deepens Liverpool's gloom with vital winner for Fulham


'Not good enough': Klopp laments Liverpool's sixth successive home defeat

The only consolation for Liverpool in the ruins of another Anfield defeat is that their next official home game is in Hungary. On Merseyside the Premier League champions have collapsed into uncharted territory, and new depths, with a sixth successive home loss cutting Jürgen Klopp's team further adrift from the Champions League pack and galvanising Fulham's prospects of survival.

A solitary roar on the final whistle from Scott Parker underlined the importance of victory to the visitors. Fulham moved level on points with Brighton courtesy of a confident first-half display, a fine first goal for the club from Mario Lemina and a resilient defensive performance in a second half that Liverpool dominated.

Their determination to hold on to three points was typified by Joachim Andersen launching himself into a vital clearance with Sadio Mané poised to convert Andy Robertson's cut-back in stoppage time. Mané did strike a post after his second-half introduction, and this was not the familiar recent story of Liverpool lacking creativity or intensity on home soil. But the champions' confidence has disintegrated at Anfield and no amount of injuries can excuse the longest sequence of home defeats in the club's history.

This is relegation form, and it said everything about Liverpool's predicament that the side third from bottom of the table arrived at Anfield believing in victory. As the Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed said: "The manager breathed belief into us. He talked about coming here and winning. Not getting a point. Coming here and winning."

This season's Champions League has assumed greater significance for Liverpool as a result of their Premier League collapse and Klopp confirmed as much by ringing the changes before Wednesday's "home" game against RB Leipzig in Budapest. Seven changes to the team that started Thursday's loss to Chelsea was the most Klopp has made in the Premier League since his first season at the club.

While Liverpool still boasted pedigree and experience up front in Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota, the opposite was true of their defence where Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams formed the 20th different central defensive partnership Klopp has employed this season. The pair, boasting 10 Premier League appearances between them before kick off, were accompanied by Neco Williams at right back. Liverpool's vulnerability against counterattacks, long balls and pace has been glaring irrespective of who has played in defence this term, however.

Opponents no longer make a secret of how they intend to exploit the champions' weaknesses and Fulham were no exception.

The visitors were neat in possession as always but sought to release Ademola Lookman at the earliest opportunity. First-time diagonal balls invited Lookman to attack Neco Williams regularly in the first half and, with more conviction in front of goal, Fulham would have led long before Lemina's smart finish.


Scott Parker shows his delight at the final whistle after a precious win for Fulham. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/AFP/Getty Images

Josh Maja missed his side's first chance when he ghosted in between Phillips and Neco Williams to meet Ivan Cavaleiro's cross only to miscue a volley wide. Lookman, released into space by Andersen's pass out of defence, cut inside Liverpool's right-back but dragged his shot wide of the near post. The on-loan winger had a similar effort deflected over by Neco Williams when released by Reed. Alisson saved bravely at the toes of Maja when Kenny Tete's cross found the striker inside the six-yard area. Cavaleiro blazed over when played through on the left. Fulham cut through Liverpool's makeshift rearguard too easily, although it was Salah at fault when the breakthrough eventually came.

Liverpool seemed to have dealt with Cavaleiro's free-kick when Robertson headed clear to Salah on the edge of the area. Lemina was on the Egypt international in a flash, however, and dispossessed the striker before sweeping a precise, powerful shot into the far corner of Alisson's goal.

Klopp's team threatened sporadically in the first half. A combination of the goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and left-back Ola Aina prevented Salah capitalising on Xherdan Shaqiri's sharp pass while Jota was unable to connect cleanly when Areola failed to cut out a cross. Fulham were otherwise comfortable. That luxury ended as soon as the second half commenced.

Liverpool dominated after the restart, controlling possession and denying Fulham further opportunity to stretch their defence, and kept the visitors on the back foot for the remainder of the contest. For once, it was not a lack of ingenuity or intensity that cost the champions in the final third at Anfield. Areola produced a superb one-handed save to keep out an immaculate volley from Jota when the Portugal international connected with Neco Williams' cross. The keeper also flicked away the loose ball before Salah could convert. Mané, on as a second-half replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, sent a looping header against a post from Naby Keïta's centre. Shaqiri curled just over from 20 yards out while white shirts threw themselves in the way of a procession of shots and crosses. Fulham's Premier League survival may ultimately depend on it.



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/07/liverpool-fulham-premier-league-match-report

WhiteJC

Gary Neville mocks Liverpool plane banner flown over Anfield during Fulham defeat

Manchester United legend Gary Neville had a number of taunting messages for Liverpool as they suffered yet another defeat at home to Fulham, during which a banner was flown over Anfield

Gary Neville mercilessly taunted Liverpool after a banner was flown over Anfield during their 1-0 defeat by Fulham.

The Reds were 1-0 down thanks to Mario Lemina's 45th-minute opener when the words "Unity is strength - let's go Reds YNWA" emerged in the Merseyside sky in the second half.

But the message did not kick-start a revival for the champions, who were just as toothless in the second half as they were in the first.

Another defeat at Anfield means Liverpool have lost six consecutive home games for the first time in their history, and their hopes of finishing in the top four are in huge jeopardy.


The banner was flown over Anfield during the second half (Image: Getty Images)

While the mood in Jurgen Klopp's camp is at an all-time low, Manchester United legend Gary Neville is utterly delighted by the turmoil his old rivals find themselves in.

He took to social media to share a picture of the banner above Anfield and captioned his post with five laughing-crying emojis.

Piling further misery on Liverpool fans, Neville sent a mocking message as he arrived at the Etihad Stadium.

"I'm just about to walk into the Etihad for the Manchester derby," said Neville in a Twitter video. "Good record here, United, in the last year or two.

"Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) has got a good record as well against Pep (Guardiola), which not many managers have.

"But remember, the most important thing today is that the plane that flew over Liverpool told us 'Unity is strength'."

Neville then burst out laughing for a number of seconds - but he was not finished there.

After his first post prompted an angry reaction by Jamie Carragher, Neville shared a video from September in which fellow pundit said: "Fulham are going down, I've never been more certain about anything in my life."

The Cottagers remain in the relegation zone after their victory at Anfield, but they moved level on points with 17th-place Brighton and are now just one behind Newcastle in 16th.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/neville-liverpool-plane-banner-anfield-23623992

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Liverpool hero McManaman reveals how Fulham striker Maja caused problems for the Reds defence

An outstanding afternoon's work saw Fulham secure the maximum points at Anfield, beating the champions Liverpool 1-0 thanks to Mario Lemina's first half winner.

Manager Scott Parker handed starts to four players of Nigerian descent namely defenders Tosin Adarabioyo and Ola Aina, winger Ademola Lookman and striker Josh Maja.

In the first part of the game, Liverpool didn't get going and were punished as a crisp finish into the bottom left corner gave the Cottagers a deserved lead in the 45th minute.

Maja came close to breaking the deadlock at minute four when he found space between Liverpool's center backs but skewed his effort wide and was presented with another chance again but his lob didn't come off.

The Bordeaux loanee was denied a golden opportunity to put Fulham ahead in the 28th minute as Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson flew off his line to block his attempted shot.

Speaking during halftime, former Liverpool midfielder Steven McManaman highlighted that Maja caused problems for the Liverpool defence, whose center back pairing was their nineteenth in all competitions this season.

McManaman said on Premier League Productions : "That area between Neco Williams and Nathaniel Phillips is causing them all kinds of problems.

"Josh Maja just doesn't get the desired connection but they have always looked to him, this hasn't just been in the last five minutes.

"They have utilized that space over there on that side of the pitch. Liverpool have made seven changes but have significantly weakened the starting lineup."

With ten games left to the end of the season, it's just goal difference keeping Fulham in the relegation zone; they have the same number of points as Brighton & Hove who are seventeenth in the table.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=39181


WhiteJC

Lemina lashes Fulham to famous win at Liverpool

Fate works in mysterious ways in football. Three days ago, Mario Lemina was frustrated after being punished for the henois crime of having his arms by his side as Josh Maja's equaliser was ruled out against Tottenham. Today, the Gabonese midfielder capped an outstanding display at Anfield with a fabulous finish from the edge of the box to extend Liverpool's run without a home win to six matches as Scott Parker's side moved level on the points with seventeeth-placed Brighton. Lemina's rueful smile was replaced with a beam of delight as the Whites added more momentum to their survival bid.

Fulham thoroughly deserved a precious three points, but this was far from a fortunate smash and grab gleefully grabbed by relegation strugglers. Parker adopted a bold 4-4-2 seeking to seize on Liverpool's home discomforts and their suicidally high defensive line – and the tactics worked from the outset. They could have been in front inside three moments when Kenny Tete's cross found Josh Maja between Liverpool's centre halves, but the former Sunderland forward's volley was awkward and flashed wide. Maja might have had a hat-trick before the break, clipping a finish wide fro close range and being denied at point-blank range by Alisson, and Ademola Lookman, who terrorised Neco Williams down the left, had his own effort deflected over.

Jurgen Klopp made seven changes in a bid to end the defending champions' desperate run of form but a lethargic Liverpool lacked the intensity that his sides have become known for. Mo Salah, after throwing himself to the floor in an attempt to win an early spot-kick, was denied by a sprawling Alphonse Areola after outwitting Ola Aina and flickered intermittently rather than dominating proceedings. The returning Diogo Jota almost seized on a mix-up between Areola and the otherwise excellent Joachim Andersen, but Fulham's defenders limited the home side to patient passing before speculative shots from range.

They hadn't found the finishing touch to crown an encouraging first half, until Lemina's anticipatory instincts were matched by a magnificent finish on the stroke of half time. The on-loan Southampton midfielder nipped in to nick the ball off Salah as Liverpool cleared a Fulham corner and then lashed a low drive beyond Alisson's dive into the bottom right corner. It was only Fulham's fourth goal at Anfield in the 21st century – and it could prove valuable in their fight against the drop. The job was just half done and diligent defending was necessary to record a fourth clean sheet in their last seven fixtures.

Areola produced an agile save to claw away Jota's first-time volley at the start of the second period after Williams had somehow dug a cross out after being closed down by Aina, but Liverpool hardly put their opponents under a significant spell of unrelenting pressure. The visitors even had a chance to extending their lead, when Ivan Cavaleiro robbed James Milner in midfield and raced clear, cutting inside and shooting wide after a lungbusting individual run. Sadio Mane, who rescued the Reds at Craven Cottage before Christmas, struck the angle of post and crossbar with a header from Naby Kaita's cross before spurning a simpler headed chance. Xherdan Shaqiri curled wide of the post from the edge of the box, but Fulham's desire to cling on to a massive victory was typfied by the way Andersen slid in to clear over the crossbar as Mane looked set to tap in from close range.

Parker has been maligned for his pragmatism at times in his Craven Cottage tenure, but the young manager's tactical acumen allied with Fulham's sense of adventure delivered Fulham's second win at Liverpool in the club's history – extending their unbeaten run away from home to eight games at a crucial point in the season. The Whites have come a long way since Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher announced their certain relegation on television three weeks into the campaign. Quietly, one of the country's most promising managers might just have the last laugh.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; N. Williams (Alexander-Arnold 76), Robertson, Phillips, R. Williams; Wijnaldum (Mane 62), Milner (Fabinho 76), Keita; Shaqiri, Jota, Salah. Subs (not used): Adrian, Tsimikas, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Origi.

BOOKED: Jota, Keita.

FULHAM (4-4-2): Areoa; Tete, Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo; Reed, Lemina, Decordova-Reid, Lookman (Robinson 83); Maja (Loftus-Cheek 67), Cavaleiro (Mitrovic 85). Subs (not used): Fabri, Hector, Ream, Kongolo, Bryan, Anguissa.

BOOKED: Tete, Lemina, Mitrovic.

GOAL: Lemina (45).

REFEREE: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/03/lemina-lashes-fulham-to-famous-win-at-liverpool/

WhiteJC

Parker 'immensely proud' after Fulham's Anfield triumph

Scott Parker said he was "immensely proud" of his Fulham side after their win at Liverpool, where their game plan worked to perfection.

The 1-0 victory moved Fulham level on points with fourth-from-bottom Brighton and just one point behind Newcastle in the battle to stay up.

Defending champions Liverpool have now lost six home matches in a row and Whites boss Parker was keen to exploit their defensive frailties.

He therefore switched to a 4-4-2 formation, with Ademola Lookman causing Liverpool major problems on the flank and Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ivan Cavaliero also offering a constant threat along with striker Josh Maja.

Asked if his team selection was intended to try to expose Liverpool's shortcomings, Parker said: "It was. I picked a team today that I felt would best suit Liverpool's style and how I thought we could hurt Liverpool and that was the sole reason behind it.

"I thought the attacking players were nothing short of fantastic.

"Everything we worked on came to plan; Cavaleiro, Bobby and Lookman stretching the game and with Maja I always want us to be a goal threat and I thought we were that."

Fulham were worthy winners at Anfield, where they dominated the first half and stood firm in the second.

Parker said: "I'm immensely proud. It was a big performance.

"In the first half we were the front-foot attacking team I want us to be.

"In the second half, coming to a place like Anfield, you are going to have to be organised and disciplined."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/parker-says-he-changed-tactics-to-exploit-liverpools-weaknesses-and-it-worked

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Fulham boss Scott Parker ridiculed for wearing coat 'even worse than Liverpool are playing'

Fulham boss Scott Parker saw his side pick up three points against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, but all eyes were on the white coat he donned on the touchline

Fulham pulled off a brilliant result as they beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday, but for many fans, Scott Parker's coat was the real star of the show.

The newly-promoted Whites put in a superb performance at the home of the champions, with Mario Lemina firing in an opener after robbing Mohamed Salah on the edge of the box.

The result puts Fulham within touching distance of climbing out of the relegation spots.

The Whites are now level on points with Brighton, and are just one point behind 16th-placed Newcastle.

However, during the win over Liverpool much of the talk online was about Fulham boss Parker's attire.

The former midfielder is always seen looking classy on the touchline, and often dresses sharply.

And on Sunday, he wore a bright white jacket with a blue fleece underneath.

Fans flooded social media with jokes about his attire.

"Fulham winning at Anfield is all good and well but the main talking point is why on earth was Scott Parker wearing a blazer over the top of a coat," one wrote.

"Scott Parker has dressed up as Roger Moore," another joked.

One supporter quipped: "Where does Scott Parker get his jackets from? Doubles up as a duvet this one."


Fulham picked up three valuable points after beating Liverpool at Anfield

One fan joked: "Premier League relegation battle now tighter than Scott Parkers jacket."

Speaking afterwards, Parker heaped praise on his side and discussed how proud he was to get the win.

"It's a big win," he said. "There's a lot of emotion and I am very proud. I am happy for the players and the team because they got nothing short of what they deserved."



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-scott-parker-liverpool-anfield-23624265


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Graeme Souness says Jurgen Klopp inadvertently gave Fulham added motivation to beat Liverpool

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made seven changes for the visit of Fulham, and Graeme Souness believes the decision to bench so many key players played a significant role in the Reds' 1-0 defeat

Graeme Souness has claimed Jurgen Klopp inadvertently gave Fulham added motivation to beat Liverpool on Sunday.

Mario Lemina scored the only goal as the Cottagers triumphed 1-0 at Anfield to inflict a sixth straight home defeat on the Reds.

Defeat leaves Liverpool four points adrift of the top four and facing question marks over their Champions League credentials.

Klopp opted to make seven changes for the match - much to the disbelief of Reds great and Sky Sports pundit Souness.

The 67-year-old said after the game that he believed Klopp's team selection gave Fulham the impetus to win the contest.

He began: "I still find it strange he made seven changes given where they were prior to this game. I still felt they could get themselves into the top four.

"It's a double edged sword for me. When you start with some of your main players on the bench, the message that sends to Fulham today is, 'they're not showing us respect'.

"As a manager, that's how I would've used it. 'They think they can pick a reserve team and turn us over, you go out and prove them wrong'.

"When you hand the initiative to the opposition and you end up chasing the game, it's totally wrong, and you end up bringing on some of your main men to try and claw the game back."

Klopp's seven changes saw Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sadio Mane and Fabinho drop to the bench. The trio were all introduced in the second-half, but it was too little too late for the beleaguered Reds.

Souness continued: "The way I was brought up, I came from a time at Liverpool where you start right, get your goals then you can get off some of the players who are maybe feeling a little bit tired or carrying an injury.

"To answer your question, how low can you go. Did you just use the word gobsmacked? It is unfathomable, that's the word you use.

"It just beggars belief how a team can go from being so good to so average. It's OK asking questions about the manager, but it's about players.

"Jurgen Klopp at this time has found out exactly what he's got in his dressing room. Some of them have not stood up to the challenge.

"When you're a big player and you win a trophy, enjoy it for a week, then it's about next season. You go into a close season, every day you're lying on a beach in Spain you're thinking of the challenges coming ahead.

"I'd say some of those players haven't done that. 'Let's enjoy the moment, it may never happen to us again'. That's not Liverpool. It's all about winning it again, and again, and again."



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-fulham-reaction-souness-klopp-23624251

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Jamie Carragher left red-faced as confident Fulham prediction backfires

Liverpool suffered their sixth home defeat on the spin, with Mario Lemina's second-half strike the decisive blow for Scott Parker's battling side

If Liverpool thought their dismal Premier League defence had hit rock bottom, Fulham 's win at Anfield proves the nadir has yet to be reached.

From leading the league in January, the champions have won just three out of their last 12 games, with a run of six straight home defeats in there for good measure.

Mario Lemina's second-half strike was the difference for Fulham, who under Scott Parker look ready to fight for their own top-flight status.

The Cottagers have lost just one of their last six and fully deserved three points from their trip to Merseyside.


Mario Lemina's strike was the difference for Fulham (Image: Phil Noble/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

As has become customary during Liverpool 's demise, Manchester United hero Gary Neville was quick to poke fun at Jurgen Klopp's men.

In the process he unearthed Jamie Carragher's view on Fulham, a view that spectacularly backfired in the aftermath of their win.

Speaking in September, Carragher told Sky Sports: "I mean Fulham are going down, I've never been more certain about anything in my life.

"They were a mess last time they came up. What they don't want to be is a mess. They're going to go down. But go down together."

Fast forward a few months and Carragher was full of praise for Parker's side labelling them a 'really well coached outfit'.

"Fulham will cause us problems – it's clear," Klopp said of their latest defeat. "They're in a good moment, they're a good team. We all agree a team like this should stay in the Premier League."

It was also put to the German that Fulham's players wanted it more, something he strongly denied: "The winner is always right. My boys wanted it. It's easy to judge they have won it so wanted it more. I don't think that's the problem."

Whether Fulham can stay up remains to be seen, after all, they still occupy one of the three relegation spots with ten games reamining.

But to even be in the mix highlights the job Parker has done and perhaps shows just how far Liverpool fallen in turn.

"Last year, that man there [Klopp] rightfully called his team mentality monsters and rightly so. They deserved that title," Carragher said during his commentary.

"But right now they are more like mentality midgets."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-vs-fulham-jamie-carragher-23624186

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Parker lists key qualities that meant Fulham 'deserved' to beat Liverpool

Scott Parker insisted that Fulham fully deserved their win over Liverpool and is "very proud" to have overseen the result.

Fulham compiled further misery on last season's champions by inflicting a sixth consecutive defeat at Anfield upon them.

Mario Lemina provided the goal that made the difference shortly before half-time, and Fulham held on for a 1-0 win.

They have been improving of late and creeping towards safety – even though they remain in the relegation zone for now.

And Parker believes this result was the reward for how far they have come.

He told BBC Sport: "It's a big win. There's a lot of emotion and I am very proud.

"I am happy for the players and the team because they got nothing short of what they deserved.

"In the first half I though we were fantastic. Numerous chances and we stuck to the plan in terms of how we wanted to cause them problems.

"The main thing coming into the game was 'can we put our stamp on it?'. Easier said than done of course. In the second half you never want it to pan out that way of course.

"There was a resilience and real attitude to keep the ball out of the net and defend. It was an overall all round performance by us.

"I still wanted us to get a foothold but defensively in terms of our line, distances and key headers it was massive.

"We've had a lot of draws, where I often stand here and say 'we have just fallen short a little bit' and the way the first half went felt similar until a bit of magic from Mario [Lemina].

"We deserved this result and we have deserved better results over the last few weeks."

Klopp tips Fulham to stay up
After losing to them, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was complimentary of Parker's Fulham side.

He told Sky Sports: "Fulham will cause us problems – it's clear. They're in a good moment, they're a good team. We all agree a team like this should stay in the Premier League.

"There were moments we could have had more of an impact on the game. Conceding that goal before half-time was a massive blow.

"We tried to react and the boys showed that. In the end we don't score goals and that's a big problem."



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/parker-key-qualities-fulham-deserved-beat-liverpool


WhiteJC

Liverpool's astonishing Anfield slump continues against relegation-threatened Fulham

LIVERPOOL'S INEXPLICABLE downward spiral continued unabated as Mario Lemina's first Fulham goal was enough for a 1-0 Premier League win as the struggling Cottagers gave their own survival hopes a massive boost.

Just when Jurgen Klopp thought things could not get any worse, after Thursday's defeat to Chelsea brought up an unwanted club record, they did as he experienced his first loss against a promoted side which consigned the Reds to a sixth-successive home defeat.

So too for Mohamed Salah. Plenty had been made of his reaction to being substituted in midweek so what he really needed to do was lead from the front, having been handed the central striker's role.

What he definitely did not need was to be the reason for Liverpool conceding the first goal for the sixth match in a row at Anfield, his loss of possession on the edge of his own area allowing Lemina to finish brilliantly just before half-time.

The Gabon midfielder became the first Fulham player to score against Liverpool at Anfield since Collins John in March 2006 as they won their first match on the ground since 2012, which on that day came courtesy of a Martin Skrtel own goal.

It meant Fulham's revival, having lost just once in the last seven, are only in the bottom three by virtue of having a goal difference three worse than Brighton.

Liverpool remain four points off the top four and are likely to be further adrift by the time they run out for their Champions League last-16 second leg against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, a game which has taken on far more significance even though they hold a 2-0 lead.

Klopp's seven changes – including three of his back four – with that in mind were the most between Premier League matches since the 2015-16 season, with the inexperienced pairing of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams the 16th different centre-back combination to have started in 28 league matches.

It was perhaps unsurprising their first-half performance was disjointed, although they managed twice the number of shots on target (two) in the opening half-hour that they achieved in the entirety of Thursday's defeat to Chelsea.

Even with Salah, Diogo Jota – making his first start since December after a knee injury – and Xherdan Shaqiri completing a new-look forward line they still did not look like scoring.

Fulham, however, frequently did with Ademola Lookman a threat cutting in from the flank as the visitors utilised a quick right-to-left diagonal to expose young full-back Neco Williams and the space between him and Phillips.

After Josh Maja hooked wide Lookman twice sprinted clear before working his way into the penalty area to shoot as Fulham looked to carry on the tactic which Thomas Tuchel's side had been successful with.

Maja was also denied by Alisson Becker diving at his feet to prevent a certain goal from close range.

The closest Liverpool came was Shaqiri's free-kick landing on the roof of the net with Salah's first touch letting him down when put through earlier by the Switzerland international.

If that was poor his dithering in possession when Ivan Cavaleiro's free-kick was half-cleared was fatal.

Lemina quickly closed down the Egypt international and superbly seized his chance with a low drive across Alisson and inside the far post.

The same 11 players were sent out early for the second half, the start of which was accompanied by the low buzz of a plane flying the banner 'Unity is Strength. Let's go Reds. YNWA' overhead, and three minutes in Jota's stinging volley produced a brilliant save from Alphonse Areola.

Klopp's first change had to be an attacking one and it saw Sadio Mane replace midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

The forward was not quick enough to react when Shaqiri's corner fell at his feet soon after arriving but was closer with a header which looped onto the post, mis-hitting another – this one from a cross from substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold – into the ground.

There was an air of desperation about the final 10 minutes with Liverpool effectively 2-2-4-2 when attacking, but it made little difference.

A sixth home game in the last eight finished goalless for them and in celebration for their opponents.



https://www.the42.ie/liverpool-fulham-report-5374394-Mar2021/

WhiteJC

'Thanks for nothing Liverpool' - Burnley fans react after Fulham's Anfield win closes gap in table

The Clarets' rivals at the bottom of the table picked up a precious three points in the Premier League thanks to Mario Lemina's goal


Fulham's Mario Lemina (left) celebrates scoring his side's winning goal over Liverpool, which reduced the gap to Burnley in the Premier League table. (Image: Phil Noble/PA Wire)

Fulham reduced the gap in the Premier League table to Burnley with a shock win over champions Liverpool at Anfield.

The Cottagers picked up a precious three points against Jurgen Klopp's side thanks to Mario Lemina's first half goal proved to be decisive.

Scott Parker's side remain in the relegation zone, but are now only four points behind Burnley in the table.

The Clarets sit 15th after coming from behind yesterday at Turf Moor to pick up a point against Arsenal.

Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion both sit between the Clarets and the Cottagers in the table as the picture at the bottom end really starts to shape up.

The loss was Liverpool's sixth defeat in a row at Anfield, a run which of course was started by the Clarets in January thanks to Ashley Barnes' penalty which secured a 1-0 win for Sean Dyche's side.

And Clarets fans have taken to Twitter to have their say on the result, which has taken Fulham three points closer to the Turf Moor side.

Colin Meredith wrote: "Fulham get a great result and are moving closer to us.

"But hey also getting closer to Southampton and Newcastle who we still have to play. It's in our hands!"

Danny Ward wrote: "Thanks for nothing @LFC."

@JoshPrknsn posted: "Liverpool lose again but Fulham close the gap. What has Dyche started here?"

Lewis Porter wrote: "It would appear that us breaking Liverpool may have backfired on us."

James Brunskill wrote: "Loved our result at Anfield, didn't realise at the time that Jurgen would dish out 3 points to Brighton & Fulham over the next few weeks."

Stuart Gaynor wrote: "Extraordinary. Not the result I wanted to see."



https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/fulham-liverpool-burnley-premier-league-19985279