Liverpool’s trip to Craven Cottage ended in disappointment, with a 3-2 loss against Fulham that left fans frustrated and the team ruing missed opportunities. While Alexis Mac Allister’s early brilliance provided hope, defensive errors and poor finishing proved too costly. Here’s a breakdown of each player’s performance from the match, with ratings to reflect their individual displays.
Caoimhin Kelleher (4/10)
The goalkeeper had an afternoon to forget. Early on, he was fortunate not to concede a penalty after colliding with Andreas Pereira. As the first half wore on, he was beaten three times without much resistance. His positioning looked suspect, and he didn’t provide the sense of control or leadership needed when the defense began to unravel.
Curtis Jones (4/10)
Deployed out of position at right-back, Jones struggled to fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold. He looked uncomfortable in the role and lacked the creative spark Trent usually provides. Defensively, he was at fault for Fulham’s opening goal when a cross struck his knee and set up Sessegnon to score. It was a tough outing that highlighted how much Liverpool miss their first-choice right-back.
Ibrahima Konate (5/10)
Konate couldn’t steady the ship in a chaotic first half. While not directly responsible for any of the goals, he failed to assert dominance in central defense. His partnership with Van Dijk, which usually exudes calm, looked shaky. Fulham’s forwards found too much space, and Konate wasn’t able to close down the danger quickly enough.
Virgil van Dijk (4/10)
A rare off day for the captain. He was caught out of position and physically outmuscled by Rodrigo Muniz for Fulham’s third goal. That moment summed up a sluggish performance from Van Dijk, who didn’t lead with his usual authority and struggled to marshal the back line effectively. It was a disappointing display by his high standards.
Andy Robertson (3/10)
Arguably the poorest performer on the pitch. Robertson’s passing was off, including one errant cross-field ball that invited pressure. His weak header contributed to Fulham’s second goal, and to make matters worse, Iwobi’s shot took a deflection off him on its way in. Defensively fragile and wasteful in possession, he never looked comfortable.
Alexis Mac Allister (7/10)
Mac Allister gave Liverpool their standout moment of the match, dancing past defenders and firing a rocket into the top corner to open the scoring. His composure and technique were evident, and he remained one of the few bright spots throughout. Despite the team’s overall struggles, he carried himself with quality and purpose.
Ryan Gravenberch (5/10)
Gravenberch showed signs of fatigue and couldn’t maintain control in midfield. Earlier in the season, he dictated play with confidence, but he now looks overworked and a step off the pace. His influence faded as the game progressed, and he wasn’t able to shift the momentum in Liverpool’s favor during crucial spells.
Dominik Szoboszlai (4/10)
A quiet game from a player usually full of energy and invention. Szoboszlai couldn’t find his rhythm and offered very little going forward. He failed to link up effectively with the front line and was substituted early, having made little impact on the game’s tempo or creativity.
Mohamed Salah (5/10)
Salah looked like the only forward capable of unlocking Fulham’s defense with his crosses and dribbles. However, he wasted a key opportunity in the second half, firing over from close range when the goal was begging. Despite showing flashes of threat, that miss proved costly and capped a frustrating performance.
Diogo Jota (4/10)
Jota was anonymous for large portions of the match. He didn’t see much of the ball and struggled to find space. When he finally had a clear chance, he couldn’t beat Bernd Leno one-on-one after being played in by Salah. It was a forgettable performance from the forward.
Cody Gakpo (4/10)
Like Jota, Gakpo had little influence. His movement wasn’t sharp, and he couldn’t get involved in meaningful build-up play. For most of the match, he seemed isolated and disconnected from Liverpool’s attacking efforts. The Fulham defense kept him in check with ease.
Harvey Elliott (6/10)
Elliott brought renewed energy after coming off the bench. He added drive in midfield and came close to scoring with a well-struck shot that clipped the crossbar. His introduction helped Liverpool regain some control, and he played with intent, even if the final product just eluded him.
Luis Diaz (7/10)
Diaz made an immediate impact and scored Liverpool’s second with composure and class. His movement and direct play injected life into the team, and he looked hungry every time he touched the ball. He was one of the few who truly influenced the game in a positive way during the final half-hour.
Conor Bradley (7/10)
Bradley impressed with his aggression and intent. He provided a central assist for Diaz’s goal and added width and urgency down the right-hand side. His performance was a reminder of how much energy he can bring when called upon.
Darwin Nunez (5/10)
Nunez entered the match in the final stages but didn’t leave a mark. He couldn’t find the spaces needed to cause problems and was largely on the fringes as Liverpool searched for an equalizer. It was a subdued appearance given the stakes.
Federico Chiesa (N/A)
Came on too late to make a real difference. With little time on the pitch, Chiesa didn’t have the opportunity to influence proceedings or find rhythm in a game that was already slipping away.
Arne Slot (5/10)
Slot’s reluctance to rotate earlier in the season seems to be catching up with his squad. Though his substitutions did bring improved performance late on, the damage was already done. Liverpool looked tired, particularly in defense, and the manager now faces a critical period in which tactical flexibility and squad management will be essential.
