Fulham 2-2 Liverpool: Aleksandar Mitrovic scores twice to shock Reds

Darwin Nunez came off the bench to score one and create another as Liverpool twice came from behind to salvage a point in a chaotic game at newly-promoted Fulham.

The Reds, who pushed champions Manchester City all the way in the title race last season, fell behind when Aleksandar Mitrovic got the better of Trent Alexander-Arnold to head Fulham ahead after meeting a superb cross by Kenny Tete.

Luis Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside at 0-0 before curling a shot against the post after Fulham had taken the lead.

In a thrilling match, substitute Nunez marked his Premier League debut by equalising with a close-range flick before Fulham restored the lead from the penalty spot after Mitrovic was fouled by Virgil van Dijk.

Mitrovic picked himself up to beat Alisson from the spot before Mohamed Salah equalised from close range after a pass by Nunez, a £64m signing from Benfica.

Jordan Henderson went close to winning it at the end when he hit the bar in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Fulham give Reds a real scare

Fulham's previous Premier League win was against Liverpool on 7 March 2021 but, on that occasion, it was not enough to save them from relegation.

On a gorgeous day in west London, they showed they are up for the challenge after giving Jurgen Klopp's side a real scare.

Their aim this season is to establish themselves in esteemed company and, while there is a long road ahead, this was a highly encouraging start.

Last season's champions of the Championship were certainly not intimidated as they took the game to the Reds, the lively Mitrovic signalling his intention by firing wide with 50 seconds on the clock after darting into the box.

Marco Silva's side were well organised and played with confidence as they continued to create chances.

They went close to going 2-0 ahead when Neeskens Kebano hit the post while new signings Joao Palhinha and Andreas Pereira added creativity to the side.

It took Fulham until the fifth game to register a point the last time they started a Premier League season in 2020-21.

They are up and running after one game this time thanks to a dynamic performance from Mitrovic.

Thiago injury adds to Klopp's worries

This is the fourth straight season the Reds have opened a Premier League campaign against a promoted side, but it was anything but a straightforward start for Klopp's side.

With Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ibrahima Konate either ill or injured, Liverpool's bench included a 20-year-old, one 19-year-old and 17-year-old Stefan Bajcetic.

Fortunately, it also included Nunez.

For the second successive weekend he came off the bench to make a valuable contribution as he followed up his performance in the Community Shield win over Manchester City with another goal.

He produced a clever flick to make it 1-1 before the Uruguay forward was involved in Salah's equaliser to make it 2-2.

A concern for Klopp will be a mounting injury list with the season barely under way.

The loss of Thiago Alcantara to a suspected hamstring injury early in the second half will add to Liverpool's worries, and it remains to be seen whether they will turn to the transfer market to ease the problem before the 1 September deadline.

Player of the match

MitrovicAleksandar Mitrovic

Fulham

Squad number9Player nameMitrovic

Squad number18Player nameAndreas Pereira

Squad number26Player nameJoão Palhinha

Squad number33Player nameRobinson

Squad number6Player nameReed

Squad number2Player nameTete

Squad number14Player nameDe Cordova-Reid

Squad number4Player nameTosin

Squad number13Player nameReam

Squad number7Player nameKebano

Squad number5Player nameDuffy

Squad number10Player nameCairney

Squad number11Player nameSolomon

Squad number1Player nameRodák

Line-ups

Fulham

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Rodák

2Tete4Tosin13Ream33Robinson

6Reed26Lobo Alves Palhinha Gonçalves

7Kebano18Pereira14De Cordova-Reid

9Mitrovic

Substitutes

Liverpool

Formation 4-3-3

1Alisson

66Alexander-Arnold32Matip4van Dijk26Robertson

14Henderson3Fabinho6Thiago Alcántara

11Salah9Firmino23Díaz

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Fulham 2, Liverpool 2.

Second Half ends, Fulham 2, Liverpool 2.

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Harvey Elliott.

Substitution, Fulham. Shane Duffy replaces Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.

Substitution, Fulham. Tom Cairney replaces Andreas Pereira.

Offside, Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold tries a through ball, but Mohamed Salah is caught offside.

Foul by Fábio Carvalho (Liverpool).

Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool).

Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Harvey Elliott (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by João Palhinha (Fulham).

Foul by Fábio Carvalho (Liverpool).

Kenny Tete (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Goal! Fulham 2, Liverpool 2. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Darwin Núñez.

Attempt missed. Fábio Carvalho (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high following a corner.

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Harrison Reed.

Substitution, Liverpool. Fábio Carvalho replaces Luis Díaz.

Attempt missed. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jordan Henderson with a through ball.

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