Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 3:23 PM• Jordi Tomasowa • Last update: 15:27

Liverpool started the new Premier League season on Saturday afternoon with a draw against Fulham. The Cottagers seemed to be on their way to a surprising victory as a PhD student, as Aleksandar Mitrovic gave Fulham the lead twice with a double hit. Manager Jürgen Klopp’s team eventually saved a point from the visit to Craven Cottage thanks to goals from substitute Núñez and Mohamed Salah: 2-2.

Klopp chose to put top signing Darwin Núñez on the bench just like during the Community Shield battle. The Uruguayan striker then made the difference against Manchester City (3-1) as a substitute, but again had to give priority to Roberto Firmino. Besides Núñez, youngster Sepp van den Berg was also on the bench. Virgil van Dijk, on the other hand, did start in the starting line-up and that also applied to Kenny Tete on Fulham’s side, who acted as right back. Mitrovic scored 43 goals in the Championship last season and was given the opportunity to prove himself again at the highest level against Liverpool.

The home team made it difficult for Liverpool in the first company by continuously putting high pressure. It led to sloppy ball loss by the Reds, which was initially not directly benefited by Fulham. With more than half an hour on the clock, the lead for the team of manager Marco Silva was a fact. Neeskens Kebano gave to Tete, who steamed up the right flank. The back had a custom cross in the house, which allowed Mitrovic to nod in at the far post: 1-0. Liverpool hoped to level the score before halftime, but Luis Díaz hit the post from a difficult angle.

Liverpool had to suffer a major setback immediately after the break, when Thiago Alcantara had to stop the fight with a hamstring injury. It was the signal for Klopp to bring Núñez into the lines in addition to Harvey Elliott. The visitors were then released unscathed after Kebano nearly doubled the margin with a shot to the inside of the post. During the second half, Liverpool increasingly succeeded in pushing Fulham back into their own box. It was Núñez who finally proved its worth again as a new purchase. Where he first encountered goalkeeper Marek Rodák behind his standing leg, he was accurate a few minutes later in the same way on a pass from Mohamed Salah: 1-1.

Liverpool seemed to be able to push through immediately, but Virgil van Dijk forced Liverpool to start all over again. The center defender tapped Mitrovic, after which referee Andrew Madley put the ball on the penalty spot. The Serbian goal machine did not fail eye to eye with Fabinho: 2-1. Ten minutes before the end, the visitors tied the score again after Salah got the ball somewhat fortunately at his feet and was able to slide in easily. Deep into stoppage time, Liverpool were even close to the full loot via Jordan Henderson, who hit the bar with a long shot.