Making an impression: Darwin Nunez
(Picture: PA)Liverpool struggled to get up to speed on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season as Fulham earned a deserved draw in west London.
Here’s how Jurgen Klopp’s side rated at Craven Cottage...
Alisson 6
Might have done better with the goal but little time to react. Went right way for penalty but couldn’t keep it out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 4
Bullied at the back post by Aleksandar Mitrovic for Fulham opener and unable to provide usual attacking threat.
Joel Matip 5
Hesitancy allowed Mitrovic chance in opening minute and looked a yard off it throughout.
Virgil van Dijk 5
Left a leg dangling as Mitrovic won penalty, for all contact was minimal.
Andy Robertson 6
Crucial block to deny Harrison Reed on volley and almost set up two big chances with terrific deliveries from left.
Fabinho 5
Not used to being overrun in midfield but was for the best part of an hour here before being replaced.
Jordan Henderson 6
Down injured as Fulham broke for opener and rightly aggrieved not to have had a free-kick. Almost won it when striking the bar with brilliant hit in stoppage time.
Thiago Alcantara 5
Crunched between two Fulham players in early exchanges which set the tone for an afternoon on which he wasn’t given an inch. Off injured soon after break.
Luis Diaz 6
Nailed early on by rash Kenny Tete challenge but grew and struck post with sharp effort. Liverpool’s best attacking outlet in first-half.
Roberto Firmino 4
Never involved and lasted six minutes after the break before Klopp turned to Nunez. Not the kind of performance you want when you’re trying to keep an £85million signing out of the side.
Mohamed Salah 7
A remarkably subdued first hour of the season for one of last season’s standout players but came alive and teed up first leveller before scoring second himself.
Substitutes
Harvey Elliott (Thiago 51’) 5
Booed on against his former club and did not have much of an impact.
Darwin Nunez (Firmino 51’) 8
Made a huge difference. Tried to square for Diaz when should have shot, then thwarted by Rodak from close range but took goal brilliantly with smart finish and had another cleared off the line before setting up Salah’s tap-in. A busy cameo.
James Milner (Fabinho 59’) 6
Fabio Carvalho (Diaz 77’) 6
Given a rather warmer reception than Elliott and whipped not far over the bar on the volley.
Unused: Adrian, Gomez, Van den Berg, Chambers, Maquieira,
