Matched By Fulham 1-1, Liverpool Throw Opportunities To Take Over Top Of The Standings

Georginio Wijnaldum (left) tries to stop Fulham winger Ademola Lookman from moving (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Liverpool wasted the opportunity to take the top of the Premier League standings after being matched by the hosts Fulham with a score of 1-1 in the 12th week match at Craven Cottage Stadium, London, Sunday local time (Monday WIB).

One point that Liverpool won was hard earned because they fell behind first due to Bobby Reid's goal and needed help from a penalty that Mohamed Salah converted to equalize.

As a result of that result, Liverpool were stuck in second place in the standings, wasting the opportunity to jump over Tottenham Hotspur, who in the early match also failed to win the full three points.

Liverpool remain in second place, behind Tottenham on goal difference even though the two teams have both collected 25 points, while Fulham (10) did not move from 17th despite successfully matching the defending champions, according to the official Premier League page.

Launching Antara, the team made by Juergen Klopp, who entered the match with the bad news of the addition of two injured players, namely Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas, started the match very badly.

All the action from our 1-1 draw at @FulhamFC, including @ MoSalah's 10th @premierleague goal of the season ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/TaiHkgQ5jE

- Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 13, 2020

The shadow of an adverse decision from VAR had emerged when Fabinho allegedly fouled Ivan Cavaleiro when trying to clear the ball, which fortunately did not end with penalty kicks.

However, Fulham managed to reap their aggressive performance early in the match by opening up the lead in the 25th minute with a hard and well-directed shot that did not allow goalkeeper Alisson Becker to make a save.

Alisson has been forced to save Liverpool's goal several times amidst his team's poor performances throughout the first half.

Entering the second half, of course Scott Parker chose a pragmatic step by thickening his defense in an effort to maintain excellence, leaving Liverpool who had difficulty penetrating at least eight players in Fulham's back row.

In the 78th minute, Georginio Wijnaldum's free kick ball hit Aboubakar Kamara's arm so referee Andre Marriner rewarded the visitors with a penalty.

Salah released a penalty that was not too good and was almost stopped by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, lucky the ball was fast enough and still sank into the goal to change the position to 1-1.

Liverpool almost turned things around when Curtis Jones made a charming individual action, unfortunately his finishing shot was still easy for Areola to secure and the score lasted until the end.

Salah's second-half penalty means it ends level against @FulhamFC. #FULLIV

- Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 13, 2020

The teams will return to action on Wednesday, December 16 for Week 13 of the match as Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield and Fulham take on Brighton & Hove Albion who visit Craven Cottage.