Liverpool were forced to settle for a 2–2 draw at Craven Cottage on Sunday after Harrison Reed’s stunning stoppage-time strike cancelled out Cody Gakpo’s late goal.
Gakpo appeared to have snatched victory for the Reds with a well-taken effort in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
However, Reed’s long-range blast moments later ensured Fulham salvaged a point, denting Liverpool’s bid to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The match had already been mired in controversy. Fulham had taken the lead through Harry Wilson’s first-half strike, which followed a VAR review overturning an initial offside call.
While the decision to allow Wilson’s goal was widely seen as correct, more debate arose around Florian Wirtz’s leveller.
Wirtz was initially flagged offside, and Fulham players appeared so convinced of the call that they momentarily paused before Wirtz struck. However, VAR adjudged him onside by the narrowest of margins, despite his foot appearing in an offside position.
Liverpool, now unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, showed a less convincing display following the goalless draw against Leeds on New Year’s Day.
Arne Slot’s squad was hampered by absences up front. French striker Hugo Ekitike was sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Alexander Isak also missed out.
Mohamed Salah remained at the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving Slot to deploy a makeshift attack featuring Wirtz, Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Reds will look to bounce back as they travel to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Thursday, seeking a more dominant performance ahead of the run-in.
