On the 20th matchday of the Premier League, Liverpool FC were able to extend their series of seven unbeaten games in a row, but are still likely to be disappointed. Fulham’s Harrison Reed scored a dream goal in the 97th minute to make the final score 2-2 (1-0) at the end of a spectacular final phase.
The supposed match winner Cody Gakpo made it 2-1 for the Reds in the fourth minute of added time and temporarily silenced the fans in the atmospheric Craven Cottage. A perfect finish from Reed turned the game on its head for the second time within minutes. Previously, ex-Liverpool youth player Harry Wilson had scored a flattering lead (17th) after a great combination. Florian Wirtz equalized the deficit in the 53rd minute with his second goal in the last three games.
At Craven Cottage, the reigning English champions started with aggressive pressing and a lot of willingness to run, but coach Marco Silva’s team seemed well prepared and not at all surprised. Nevertheless, the Reds managed to create their first big chance early on. Gakpo (11th) was ideally served by Curtis Jones and ran alone towards Bernd Leno in the hosts’ goal – the ball missed the goal by just centimeters.
Ex-Liverpool youth player scores against the Reds
Six minutes later the Lilywhites turned the game on its head when Raul Jimenez cleverly extended for Wilson and the Welshman scored for a surprise lead. Just as the goal fired up the home fans, Arne Slot’s team temporarily pulled the plug. National player Florian Wirtz caused the first dangerous action and woke the Reds from their state of shock. The German won the ball in midfield and fed Jones in the penalty area, who missed.
Just seconds later, Gakpo hit the post with a header – but the Dutchman was probably offside. In the final phase of the first half, LFC had a suffocating possession of the ball, but this did not bother the hosts at all. The team from London waited for the counterattack and otherwise unnerved Liverpool with their orderly and concentrated defense. After half-time it was Gakpo who once again caused danger offensively.
Wirtz as an asset for Liverpool FC
However, his supposed equalizer was withdrawn because of a correctly recognized offside position (48th). But that didn’t slow down the guests at all, as Wirtz and Co. laid siege to the Fulham penalty area in the second half. Ex-Leipzig player Dominik Szoboszlai served Mac Allister with a well-taken corner, who missed the equalizer by centimeters with his head and only hit the crossbar (53′). Four minutes later, the Reds rewarded themselves for a committed offensive phase – in the person of Wirtz.
The ex-Leverkusen player was found in the penalty area by Conor Bradley and circled the ball into the far corner past Leno (57′). After a VAR break lasting several minutes, referee Craig Pawson awarded the goal, a narrow but correct decision because Wirtz and Issa Diop were on the same level. The equalizer prompted Fulham to take part in the game again, with Wilson scoring the goal with a good finish from distance (72′).
Two goals in spectacular added time
In the 77th minute, Antonee Robinson gave Wilson a great chance to take the lead again with a magical pass to Wilson. The Reds were able to prevent the ex-Liverpool player’s first shot, but Wilson lobbed the rebound over the entire defense – the crossbar saved the already beaten guests. In stoppage time, events came to a head. First Gakpo (94th) scored to give Liverpool a 2-1 lead, then substitute Reed escalated all the Fulham fans with his dream goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time.