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Liverpool secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, with goals courtesy of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch, and Diogo Jota. While Timothy Castagne's strike just before half-time briefly lifted the hosts' hopes, it wasn't sufficient to salvage any points from the encounter.
The Reds had a golden opportunity to kick off with a bang, yet Luis Diaz narrowly missed the mark with a close-range header in the seventh minute. The match simmered with caution until Trent Alexander-Arnold unleashed a masterful free-kick, nestling it into the top right-hand corner of the net just past the half-hour mark.
The home team persistently pressed against Liverpool's defense, creating an opportunity for Rodrigo Muniz, whose shot was directed straight at Alisson Becker. Their luck changed when Timothy Castagne capitalized on Alex Iwobi's deflection, levelling the score during stoppage time in the first half.
However, Jurgen Klopp's side swiftly reclaimed the lead in the 54th minute when Harvey Elliott intercepted Alex Iwobi's pass from the edge of their own box. Elliott then cleverly fed the ball to Ryan Gravenberch, whose finesse shot from outside the penalty area nestled into the back of the net.
The visitors maintained a threatening presence until Diogo Jota struck in the 73rd minute. A precision through ball from Cody Gakpo set up the Portuguese international, who calmly found the back of the net, sealing the fate of Marco Silva's side.
Let's look at five hits and flops as the 19-time League Champions strive for the ultimate prize for one last time under Jurgen Klopp's guidance.
5 Hit - Harvey Elliott
Despite a significantly improved campaign, Harvey Elliott only made his seventh Premier League start of the season. The young midfielder shone brightly in a crucial victory, following two winless league games.
Displaying relentless energy across the field, the 21-year-old notched up seven recoveries and triumphed in four midfield duels. His tireless running proved instrumental in Liverpool's second goal, as he intercepted a pass from Alex Iwobi before setting up Ryan Gravenberch for the decisive strike.
#4 Flop - Sasa Lukic
Sasa Lukic endured a difficult outing, struggling to find his rhythm against the likes of Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch. The Serbian midfielder seemed out of sorts, notably absent before Ryan Gravenberch unleashed a crucial strike for the second goal.
Lukic's positional lapses allowed Liverpool to exploit gaps in Fulham's midfield, enabling the visitors to consistently threaten and create opportunities for their forwards.
Despite enduring a below-par performance from the opening minutes, Lukic managed to last the full 90 minutes. However, his impact was limited, winning just one tackle out of four attempted and failing to significantly contribute to Fulham's cause.
#3 Hit - Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo, showing a rejuvenated form in recent matches, left his mark by setting up Diogo Jota for Liverpool's third goal. The Dutch international consistently found pockets of space, whether through the middle or on the left wing, posing persistent problems for Fulham's defense.
His dynamic performance was highlighted by a powerful long-range shot in the second half, only to be denied by Bernd Leno's acrobatic save, forcing the ball out for a corner. Gakpo showcased his dribbling prowess by completing three out of four attempts and delivered five precise passes into the penalty box.
Additionally, his defensive contribution was notable, as he made ten recoveries and won seven duels in advanced areas of the field.
#2 Flop - Andreas Pereira
Andreas Pereira remained largely unnoticed throughout the entire match, failing to make a significant impact until the final whistle. The Brazilian international was assigned the challenging task of disrupting Wataru Endo's rhythm. However, the Japanese midfielder emerged victorious in their battle, effectively nullifying Pereira's attempts to trouble Liverpool's backline.
Pereira struggled to generate any meaningful attacking opportunities and his defensive performance left much to be desired, winning just two out of eleven attempted duels. Marco Silva surely anticipated more from his star midfielder, known for his impactful contributions higher up the field.
#1 Hit - Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool sorely felt the absence of their key playmaker from the back during their recent slump in results. The right-back's role extended beyond traditional defensive duties; his adeptness at dictating play proved vital in maintaining the Reds' control over matches.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's impact was evident throughout the game, highlighted by his stunning 30-yard free-kick in the first half and his ability to deliver 15 passes into the final third. As the season reaches its climax, Alexander-Arnold's contributions will be pivotal in Liverpool's quest to wrest the Premier League trophy from Manchester City's grasp, especially if City and Arsenal falter in the final stretch.
With just five games remaining, the outcome promises to be intriguing as the race intensifies.
