It is a baptism of fire for Fulham upon their return to the Premier League as they face, arguably, their toughest home test of the season with the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s side. Marco Silva took Fulham back up into the top flight in style but has repeatedly stressed during pre-season his concerns over the strength of the playing squad.
Silva’s concerns will become clear this afternoon when Liverpool come to town, looking to start their latest title tilt with little fuss before champions Manchester City get up and running tomorrow. New signings Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho start on the bench for the Reds.
Fulham will be aware that Liverpool showed little signs of rustiness in a deserved win over City in the Community Shield last week but have previously sprung surprises on the opening day, so this match looks set to be an intriguing one. Follow the game LIVE with Standard Sport below, with Malik Ouzia at Craven Cottage!
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A surprise scoreline at the break, but a fully deserved one. Liverpool started slowly and Fulham stopped them from improving.
Superb from the hosts so far.
Half-time
47min: That’s your lot. Klopp needs to have a word.
45min: Two minutes added on.
42min: Alexander-Arnold handles the ball while attempting to control it and is penalised. He boots the ball away in frustration, but doesn’t get a yellow card.
POST!
39min: Diaz works some space inside the area, when there really didn’t look like any, to fire off a shot but he is denied by the woodwork.
Some strike, that.
37min: Liverpool try to hit back straight away as Robertson drives down the left and drills in a low cross, which Diaz is inches away from.
GOAL!
34min: Well, well, well! Mitrovic bullies Alexander-Arnold at the back post to beat Alisson with a fine header.
But what about that cross from Tete. My word!
32min: I tell you what, Fulham look alright!
Pereira and Kebano combine and drive into the area, before the latter flings in a cracking cross for Mitrovic but the striker can’t get on the end of it.
30min: A whipped effort from the corner is heading straight for Mitrovic at the near post, but the angle is too tight and it fizzes out of play.