Liverpool vs Fulham winners and losers: two up, two down after frustrating Anfield stalemate
Liverpool weren't inspiring against Fulham yesterday afternoon.
For a home game, Anfield was less than invigorating, and the atmosphere in the ground was reflected by those on the pitch.
Fulham had the best chance of the game, after Alisson's misplaced pass gave the away side a chance which Jeremy Jacquet was able to clear off the line.
The Reds had a few chances scattered across both halves, with Alexander Isak almost sneaking in a winner at the death following a corner routine, but he didn't quite get enough contact on the ball.
Midfield instability plagued the home side once again as Andoni Iraola continues to tinker with his starting XI to find the correct balance of profiles.
It was a disappointing afternoon, especially after a much more assured performance against Atletico Madrid, where the Reds looked back to their old ways - full of energy, pressure across the pitch and getting stuck into challenges.
Far to few of those qualities were present against Fulham.
Let's look into our winners and losers from MD4 of the Premier League.
Winners
1 - Jeremy Jacquet
The young French defender arrived in Merseyside with less fanfare than he may have deserved.
Officially signed in January of this year, but only joining in the summer meant he almost felt forgotten as an addition to the squad.
But Liverpool's new number 5 has slotted alongside Virgil van Dijk with ease, playing with a confidence of a player five or six years his senior.
At times, the best defenders are the ones you don't notice. Jacquet can quitely go about a game, doing what is needed to be done.
And then the Frenchman will make a fantastic tackle, carry the ball forwards and find a line splitting pass that puts the Reds on the front-foot.
He is truly a modern centre-back. Unafraid to get stuck-in, but also capable of contributing with his exceptional passing.
Jacquet is also learning from the best centre-back of the last seven years too. And Leoni looked promising prior to his ACL injury last year.
Liverpool's centre-back options are in safe hands.
2 - Ronald Araujo
The Uruguayan has featured at right-back for Liverpool's past three games and his introduction into the side has left Liverpool far more secure defensively.
The former Barcelona defender has been a welcome addition into Iraola's starting XI, complementing Jeremy Jacquet well on the right hand side of defence.
While he has had moments where his concentration has lapsed, the number 33 has adapted well to life in Liverpool and Premier League football.
After an impressive performance against Ipswich, he was solid in the match against Atletico Madrid, and popped up with an assist for Szoboszlai's equaliser.
Against Fulham he once again displayed his quality, keeping the Reds solid until he was subbed off for Jeremie Frimpong.
Losers
1 - Liverpool's (starting) midfielders
The combination of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch doesn't work.
Neither have the tactical understanding or discipline to do what is best for the team rather than themselves.
Szoboszlai is a relentless runner. But his recklessness while pressing leaves the rest of the midfield exposed and forces Florian Wirtz to do more defending than he should need to.
Both the aforementioned midfielders seem to avoid Wirtz too, which means the German drops deeper to get on the ball.
He has outrun everyone in the starting XI in the past few games. Over the course of 90 minutes, Wirtz will fatigue faster and become less accurate in his decision making or passing actions when it is most needed.
This is not what you want your main creative player to be doing, game in, game out.
The Hungarian also picks up the ball in the right-wide space, leaving the middle of the pitch exposed. He enjoys creating chances from where Trent Alexander-Arnold used to.
Once again proving he may find his best position to be at right-back. There's no shame in it anymore.
Gravenberch also doesn't help, with his poor decision making and limited passing range. After some time on the bench, fans would hope that the Dutch midfielder would up the ante and improve his performances.
Liverpool's number 38 seemed to be sulking, and appeared ambivalent to the match around him against Atletico, and during the Fulham match he didn't do much to convince why he deserves to be starting.
As mentioned in the winners and losers piece after the Ipswich game, Gravenberch may have to adapt his game to get back into the starting XI. Where is the midfielder that won Young Player of the Year in 2024/25?
Trey Nyoni may start against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup mid-week, and it will be interesting to see how the young midfielder performs alongside his partner in the pivot.
2 - Kostas Tsimikas
This was the perfect game for the Greek defender to give Iraola a selection head-ache.
Milos Kerkez has had moments during games where his decision making has been poor and has frequently made mistakes during games that are usually unforced.
Tsimikas therefore had the opportunity to prove why he should be starting ahead of the Hungarian, but he was unable to take it.
Subbed off after just 45 minutes, Liverpool's number 21 struggled against Fulham.
He frequently made poor passes and wrong decisions which left fans and his team-mates frustrated.
Kerkez hasn't been at his best, but against Ipswich and Atletico he instigated a press, or won the ball back, and the Reds went on to score.
The Greek full-back doesn't posses the same pace that Kerkez does, and he will need to do more if he is to convince Iraola that he deserves more game time this season.
