American Premier League fans who woke up early Saturday morning were treated to quite the entertaining fixture. Newly promoted Fulham hosted last season’s runners-up Liverpool at Craven Cottage and both sides shared the honors with a 2-2 draw after a back and forth affair.
Liverpool vs Fulham Highlights
Fulham played with guts and desire, and honestly, looked like the better side throughout the 90 minutes. A pair of goals from Aleksandar Mitrović gave Fulham every chance of leaving with all three points but Liverpool equalized on both occasions to secure the draw.
Mitrović scored early following a well-worked attack, punctuated by a far-post cross headed home from close range as the Serbian beat Trent Alexander-Arnold in the air.
It had to be him!
After scoring 43 goals in the Championship last season, Aleksandar Mitrovic gives Fulham the lead over Liverpool. #FFC: @peacockTV#MyPLMorning | #FULLIV pic.twitter.com/lBBjewxchA
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 6, 2022
Liverpool’s new signing, Darwin Núñez, came off the bench to make his Premier League debut. The Uruguayan made his presence known, scoring a splendid backheel flick to level the score at one, just after the hour-mark.
Darwin Nunez with the backheel flick for his first Premier League goal! #LFC
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 6, 2022
For the first time since joining Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk has been dribbled past by an opponent AND conceded a penalty in a single Premier League game.
Aleksandar Mitrović is responsible for both. pic.twitter.com/HGt6pOy56f— Squawka (@Squawka) August 6, 2022
Eight minutes later, a controversial penalty, earned by Mitrović was quickly dispatched by the Serbian to re-establish Fulham’s advantage.
Here's a look at the foul in the box by Virgil Van Dijk on Aleksandar Mitrovic which led to Fulham taking a 2-1 lead.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 6, 2022
Aleksandar Mitrovic buries the penalty and Fulham take a 2-1 lead over Liverpool! #FFC
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 6, 2022
With ten minutes to go, Salah finished from close range making the score 2-2. The Reds almost walked away with all three points after Jordan Henderson clattered the crossbar from distance.
For the sixth season in a row, Mo Salah has scored on opening day! #LFC
Liverpool have leveled the match once again. With less than 10 minutes to go, will there be a winner? Get to @peacockTV NOW! #MyPLMorning | #FULLIV pic.twitter.com/wbAVxisD2K— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 6, 2022
In the end, both sides walked away with a point, but Fulham will be pleased to take a point off Liverpool in its first game back in the Premier League.