Liverpool were forced to settle a point with Fulham in their Premier League.
The Reds drew 2-2 at Craven Cottage after Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah scored either side of Aleksandar Mitrovic strikes for the newly promoted outfit.
Jurgen Klopp’s side performed well below their usual standards with their manager admitting post-match that the result was the best aspect from the match.. To make matters worse, Thiago Alcantara suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp post-match confession reveals why Liverpool plan failed at Fulham
READ MORE: Marco Silva gives verdict on Liverpool tactics and what Fulham 'deserved' from game
Plenty of national media outlets were in attendance to watch Liverpool’s first match of the season - as well as our own Paul Gorst. And here is a round-up of what they had to say.
Sam Dean, via The Telegraph
“It takes almost 100 points to win the Premier League these days, in the modern footballing world that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have helped to create, and the German will know better than anyone that every result counts in this draining division. Such are Liverpool’s standards, and such are the requirements of teams who want to compete with Manchester City, that every draw can feel like a defeat. That could be seen on the faces of Klopp’s players at the final whistle here, when Fulham’s energy and intensity was rewarded with a point the home side fully deserved.
“Klopp, speaking a few minutes later, insisted he was more concerned by the performance than the result. He knew that Liverpool had not played like the Liverpool we have come to expect in recent seasons, and that this opening-day draw could easily have been a defeat were it not for the game-changing exploits of Darwin Nunez, their record signing, and Mohamed Salah.
“The optimism of a new season can be a powerful force and, at a febrile Craven Cottage, Fulham defied expectations. Marco Silva’s side were regarded by many as fresh meat for Liverpool to devour, but instead they proved to be genuinely tough opponents as the mighty Aleksandar Mitrovic landed the first two blows on Klopp’s defence this season.”
John Brewin, via The Guardian
“Darwin Núñez’s impact was almost immediate. Until his arrival six minutes into the second half Liverpool had been listless, frequently beaten to the punch by Fulham. The Uruguayan, direct, speedy and hungry, soon had the promoted team on the back foot. The £85m man’s first Premier League goal, a smart backheel, came within 15 minutes of his introduction and he also played his part in Mohamed Salah’s goal to rescue a draw.
“The day belonged to another striker, too. Aleksandar Mitrovic, coming off 43 Championship goals last season and attempting to buck the reputation of being short of Premier League class, scored twice. The first was a trademark header, the second a penalty converted after a foul by a foxed, lunging Virgil van Dijk, to suggest that the Serbian – and Fulham – may belong in the top division.
“This was the first time Fulham had avoided defeat in the opening game of a top-flight season after winning promotion, which is a good sign – as was a performance roared on by an appreciative home crowd. Drawing the opening match of the season is no disaster for Liverpool but Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold struggling and an attack blunted until Núñez’s arrival ought to concern Jürgen Klopp. Jordan Henderson hit the bar in the closing seconds but this was most definitely an escape.”
James Olley, via ESPN
“It feels almost absurd to suggest this on the opening day of the season, but such are the standards Liverpool and Manchester City have set in recent times that dropping two points at Fulham represents an early blow in the title race. Jurgen Klopp's side lost only two games in the league last season and were twice behind at Craven Cottage, showing admirable tenacity to fight back.
“City have a tough-looking opener at West Ham United on Sunday, but they now have a chance to establish an early advantage over their closest rivals. Liverpool spent so much of last season chasing City - the last thing they want is that same feeling early in the new campaign.”
Ian Hawkey, via The Times
“The good news for Fulham, freshly promoted but counselled by gloomy precedent against any excess of expectation, is that this attempt at survival already looks far more promising than the past two. They took a point on opening day, which they were a long way from achieving two or four years ago at the start of their two previous Premier League campaigns. They scored too, another novelty for the big curtain-raiser. And they twice led a Liverpool side that Fulham must regard as likely to be among the season’s most difficult visitors to Craven Cottage.
“For all that Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goals, one in each half, had tantalised Fulham supporters with the prospect of a surprise triumph, the cheers at the final whistle carried a timbre of relief. Liverpool, whose performance drew some candid criticism from their manager, Jürgen Klopp, became more threatening in the second half once Darwin Núñez had added potency to their forward line. The Uruguayan scored his second goal in as many competitive matches for his new club and played a decisive role in the second equaliser from Mohamed Salah.”
Paul Gorst, via Liverpool Echo
“It’s largely become accepted wisdom that the bulk of Liverpool's successes and failures have been built on the smallest of margins in recent years. And if Jordan Henderson's last-gasp, 25-yard curler had dropped inches lower, Jurgen Klopp will have been able to puff out his cheeks and move on from a taxing examination in west London with three precious points in the bag. The tone of the post-match inquest would certainly be less terse, at least.
“The fact the skipper's arched effort only cannoned off the woodwork, however, means that Klopp and his staff will have to sift through the frustration and disappointment for over a week now until Crystal Palace visit Anfield on August 15. There is much to discuss behind the scenes. Throw in a potentially damaging hamstring injury to Thiago Alcantara and Klopp will be cursing his luck after this 2-2 draw at newly-promoted Fulham. But this was not a result that came from any real misfortune. Far from it.
“The Reds were simply nowhere near their collective best in the capital as Marco Silva's Championship winners showed what they are about with a performance full of heart and desire that dragged Liverpool into the sort of dog fight they are usually so adept at side-stepping.”
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