“Liverpool player ratings as two terrible and nine poor in Fulham loss”

Liverpool player ratings as two terrible and nine poor in Fulham loss

Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes took a significant blow on a dismal afternoon at Craven Cottage, where their 26-game unbeaten run in the top flight came crashing down with a shocking 3-2 defeat against Fulham. Despite Alexis Mac Allister’s spectacular opener, a chaotic first-half performance left the Reds reeling, with Luis Diaz’s second-half strike not enough to spark a full comeback.

Arne Slot’s men looked unrecognisable from the side that had been cruising through the league weeks prior. Sloppy passing, questionable decision-making, and defensive lapses defined a first half that saw Fulham race into a 3-1 lead by the break. The Reds, who started the match with intensity and urgency, quickly faded into a shell of their usual selves.

Mac Allister opened the scoring with a strike that will likely be a contender for goal of the season. A thunderous effort from outside the box briefly silenced the home crowd and gave Liverpool early control. But that sense of dominance evaporated almost immediately.

Fulham pounced on every error, and the cracks in Liverpool’s defensive line began to show. Ibrahima Konaté, usually a reliable presence at the back, endured arguably his worst outing of the season. A comical mistake handed Fulham an early opportunity, and he looked lost for most of the first 45 minutes. Subbed off before the end, his performance raised serious questions about composure under pressure.

Captain Virgil van Dijk wasn’t spared from the chaos either. He misjudged a long ball that led directly to Fulham’s third goal and struggled to communicate effectively with his defensive partner. While he did steady himself slightly in the second half, the damage had already been done by then.

Andy Robertson, usually dependable and tenacious, committed a costly error with a careless pass inside his own half, gifting Fulham the chance to take the lead. He appeared rattled afterward, though he did improve marginally in the second half, offering support down the left and nearly scoring with a powerful strike.

Ryan Gravenberch was another player who failed to impose himself on the game. Constantly bullied off the ball and making the wrong decisions in midfield, he lacked composure and awareness. A late positional shift saw him moved to defence, where he looked more comfortable, but his impact was minimal.

One of the few shining lights was Mac Allister. His wonder goal may have been out of sync with the team’s overall performance, but it was a reminder of his individual brilliance. He continued probing the Fulham backline after the break, trying to create chances, but lacked the necessary support from his teammates.

Mohamed Salah worked hard but had little to show for it. Clearly frustrated by the lack of service and movement around him, his timing was off, and his finishing erratic. He skied a good chance late on, and though his crosses caused trouble late in the game, it was too little, too late.

Diogo Jota struggled to make any impact during the first half, barely touching the ball. Despite his persistence and a decent chance early in the second period, he was eventually subbed off as Liverpool searched for fresh ideas in attack.

Luis Diaz, who replaced Cody Gakpo in the 55th minute, immediately brought energy and threat. He ran at defenders, took on his man, and scored a well-taken goal that gave Liverpool a glimmer of hope. His performance was one of the very few positives on an otherwise bleak day for the Reds.

Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was not at fault for Fulham’s first goal, but might have done better with the second and third. He held onto the ball a little too long at times, slowing down Liverpool’s rhythm, but did redeem himself with a late save from Emile Smith Rowe to prevent further embarrassment.

The overall performance left fans seething and pundits stunned. Liverpool not only missed a golden opportunity to keep pace with Manchester City but also looked disjointed, uninspired, and vulnerable in ways that were alarming this late in the title race.

Arne Slot has a massive task on his hands. With only seven games left in the season, the Reds need to collect 11 points to match Manchester United’s historic tally of 20 top-flight titles. But performances like this one raise doubts about whether they can maintain their focus and composure in the final stretch.

The mentality that carried them through tough fixtures earlier in the campaign was absent. From back to front, the squad looked sluggish and disconnected, a far cry from the fluid, aggressive side that dominated earlier in the season.

As fans debated the roles of individual players and the tactical setup, one thing was clear: Liverpool cannot afford another slip-up like this. Fulham, to their credit, executed their game plan flawlessly. They pressed with intensity, capitalized on mistakes, and took their chances with ruthless efficiency.

The Reds, meanwhile, are left licking their wounds. Arne Slot must find a way to reignite his team’s spirit and shape a response in the next fixture. With the league race heating up, there’s no time for self-pity or finger-pointing.

For now, Liverpool’s dreams of a 20th league title hang in the balance—and unless the team responds with urgency and unity, they risk seeing it slip away completely.