Nunez inspires Liverpool comeback at Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his first Premier League goal for Fulham at Craven Cottage since 29 January 2019, when he netted two headers in a 4-2 win against Brighton

Darwin Nunez came off the bench to score one and create another as Liverpool twice came from behind to salvage a point in a gripping 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.

Will Aleksandar Mitrovic replicate his scoring feats in Premier League?Reaction and analysis of Fulham-Liverpool, plus Saturday's Premier League latest

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.

More to follow.

Player of the match

MitrovicAleksandar Mitrovic

with an average of 8.31

FulhamFulhamFulhamLiverpoolLiverpoolLiverpool

FulhamAvgSquad number9Player nameMitrovicAverage rating

8.31

Squad number18Player nameAndreas PereiraAverage rating

7.23

Squad number26Player nameJoão PalhinhaAverage rating

7.17

Squad number33Player nameRobinsonAverage rating

7.14

Squad number6Player nameReedAverage rating

6.89

Squad number2Player nameTeteAverage rating

6.88

Squad number14Player nameDe Cordova-ReidAverage rating

6.87

Squad number4Player nameTosinAverage rating

6.82

Squad number13Player nameReamAverage rating

6.80

Squad number7Player nameKebanoAverage rating

6.71

Squad number5Player nameDuffyAverage rating

6.65

Squad number10Player nameCairneyAverage rating

6.57

Squad number11Player nameSolomonAverage rating

6.55

Squad number1Player nameRodákAverage rating

6.55

LiverpoolAvgSquad number27Player nameNúñezAverage rating

6.82

Squad number11Player nameMohamed SalahAverage rating

6.17

Squad number23Player nameDíazAverage rating

5.64

Squad number7Player nameMilnerAverage rating

5.58

Squad number1Player nameAlissonAverage rating

5.55

Squad number26Player nameRobertsonAverage rating

5.40

Squad number19Player nameElliottAverage rating

5.34

Squad number14Player nameHendersonAverage rating

5.28

Squad number32Player nameMatipAverage rating

5.20

Squad number28Player nameFábio CarvalhoAverage rating

5.14

Squad number6Player nameThiago AlcántaraAverage rating

5.05

Squad number4Player namevan DijkAverage rating

5.04

Squad number3Player nameFabinhoAverage rating

4.88

Squad number9Player nameRoberto FirminoAverage rating

4.84

Squad number66Player nameAlexander-ArnoldAverage rating

4.75

Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text

Line-upsFulham

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Rodák2Tete4Tosin13Ream33Robinson6Reed26Lobo Alves Palhinha Gonçalves7Kebano18Pereira14De Cordova-Reid9Mitrovic

1Rodák2TeteBooked at 17mins4Tosin13Ream33Robinson6Reed26Lobo Alves Palhinha Gonçalves7KebanoSubstituted forSolomonat 66'minutes18PereiraSubstituted forCairneyat 89'minutes14De Cordova-ReidBooked at 90minsSubstituted forDuffyat 90+4'minutes9Mitrovic

Substitutes

5Duffy10Cairney11Solomon17Leno19Muniz Carvalho27Mbabu35Francois38Harris65Stansfield

Liverpool

Formation 4-3-3

1Alisson66Alexander-Arnold32Matip4van Dijk26Robertson14Henderson3Fabinho6Thiago Alcántara11Salah9Firmino23Díaz

1Alisson66Alexander-Arnold32Matip4van Dijk26Robertson14Henderson3FabinhoSubstituted forMilnerat 59'minutes6Thiago AlcántaraSubstituted forElliottat 51'minutes11Salah9FirminoSubstituted forNúñezat 51'minutes23DíazSubstituted forFreitas Gouveia Carvalhoat 78'minutes

Substitutes

2Gomez7Milner13Adrián19Elliott27Núñez28Freitas Gouveia Carvalho43Bajcetic72van den Berg88Chambers

Referee:Andy MadleyMatch StatsHome TeamFulhamAway TeamLiverpoolPossessionHome33%Away67%ShotsHome9Away11Shots on TargetHome3Away4CornersHome4Away4FoulsHome7Away9Live TextPost update

Match ends, Fulham 2, Liverpool 2.

90'+6'Full Time

Second Half ends, Fulham 2, Liverpool 2.

90'+4'Post update

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

90'+4'Substitution

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

90'Booking

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

89'Substitution

Substitution, Fulham. Tom Cairney replaces Andreas Pereira.

88'Post update

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

87'Post update

Foul by Fábio Carvalho (Liverpool).

87'Post update

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

86'Post update

Foul by Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool).

86'Post update

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

84'Post update

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

84'Post update

Foul by João Palhinha (Fulham).

84'Post update

Foul by Fábio Carvalho (Liverpool).

84'Post update

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

80'goalGoal!

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.

80'Post update

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

79'Post update

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Harrison Reed.

78'Substitution

Substitution, Liverpool. Fábio Carvalho replaces Luis Díaz.

76'Post update

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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Source: bbc.com