Fulham 2-2 Liverpool: Late drama at Craven Cottage leaves Reds relieved rather than revived

Liverpool’s frustrating habit of turning control into chaos resurfaced in dramatic fashion at Craven Cottage, as Harrison Reed’s sensational 97th-minute strike denied Arne Slot’s side a much-needed Premier League win against Fulham.

In a game that Liverpool appeared to have finally wrestled into submission deep into stoppage time, Cody Gakpo’s 94th-minute goal looked set to paper over familiar cracks. Instead, Reed’s thunderbolt from distance ensured the points were shared, extending Liverpool’s unbeaten run to nine games but doing little to ease growing concerns about their ability to manage decisive moments.

The afternoon began in unsettling circumstances, with kick-off delayed by 15 minutes following a medical emergency involving a member of Fulham’s matchday staff. Once play got underway, Liverpool monopolised possession but again struggled to turn territorial dominance into clear chances — a recurring theme under Slot.

Fulham needed just one meaningful attack in the first half to strike. Raúl Jiménez’s clever hold-up play released Harry Wilson, who drove a low finish past Alisson. The offside flag briefly interrupted celebrations, but VAR confirmed Virgil van Dijk had played the Welshman onside. It was a familiar script: Liverpool with the ball, the opponent with the incision.

Liverpool’s first-half numbers told the story — control without penetration. They reached the break without a shot on target, and with top scorer Hugo Ekitike missing due to a slight hamstring issue, the absence of a true focal point was glaring.

The response after the interval was sharper. Alexis Mac Allister struck the woodwork from a corner, and Liverpool finally injected pace and directness through Conor Bradley’s overlapping runs. That urgency was rewarded just before the hour mark when Bradley surged forward and picked out Florian Wirtz, who finished confidently past Bernd Leno.

The goal, however, came with controversy. Initially ruled out for offside, VAR intervened after a lengthy review to award it — a decision that angered the home crowd and, truthfully, looked marginal at best on replays. Liverpool will quietly acknowledge they may have got away with one.

The equaliser tilted the momentum. Fulham still carried threat on the break — Wilson rattled the crossbar late on — but Liverpool seemed to have delivered the decisive blow when Jeremie Frimpong’s cross was bundled home by Gakpo in the 94th minute, sparking wild celebrations in the away end.

Yet, once again, Liverpool failed to close the door.

From the restart, Fulham worked the ball out calmly, and Reed was afforded just enough space 30 yards from goal. His strike, arcing beautifully into the top corner, was unstoppable and utterly deflating for the visitors. It was his first Premier League goal since 2023, and one that summed up Liverpool’s season — moments of quality undermined by lapses in control.

Statistically, Liverpool edged the contest. They recorded 58% possession, 33 touches in the opposition box and an expected goals figure nearly double Fulham’s. But football is not played on spreadsheets, and Fulham’s efficiency — two goals from just eight shots — contrasted sharply with Liverpool’s wastefulness.

Slot cut a visibly frustrated figure at full-time. His side showed character to respond after the break and deservedly improved, but once again failed the game-management test. Against Leeds days earlier it was bluntness; here, it was composure.

For Fulham, this was another impressive home performance under Marco Silva, built on discipline, resilience and belief. For Liverpool, it was a reminder that while the unbeaten run continues, progress remains fragile.

And with Arsenal up next, narrow margins — and generous VAR calls — may not be enough.