Fulham vs. Liverpool result: Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez earn point as Aleksandar Mitrovic twice puts hosts ahead in Premier League clash at Craven Cottage

Ben Miller

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Fulham vs. Liverpool result: Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez earn point as Aleksandar Mitrovic twice puts hosts ahead in Premier League clash at Craven Cottage image

Fulham gave Liverpool a fright on the opening weekend of the 2022/23 Premier League season in a thrilling 2-2 draw as the newly-promoted Cottagers deservedly came within 10 minutes of becoming the first team to beat the Reds in the top flight since the start of 2022.

The warning signs for the Champions League finalists were evident in a bright start by the hosts, who are aiming to avoid a fourth unsuccessful attempt to stay in the division since the 2013/14 campaign.

One of the Cottagers' quick breaks on the counter-attack culminated in Neeskens Kebano curling the best cross of the half towards Aleksandar Mitrovic, who outmuscled Trent Alexander-Arnold at the far post to power an unstoppable header past Alisson Becker to break the deadlock.

Liverpool introduced new signing Darwin Nunez after the break but Fulham continued to look comfortable, Kebano almost doubling their lead with a rasping diagonal drive from just inside the penalty area that rattled off the far post with Alisson well beaten.

Nunez had spurned more than one sight of goal by then, and the Premier League newcomer's determination and positioning paid off when he flicked Mohamed Salah's right-wing delivery beyond Marek Rodak, bringing a measure of relief to increasingly irate Reds boss Jurgen Klopp in the 64th minute.

Anyone suspecting the contest would play to form from that point was mistaken. Virgil van Dijk's clumsy challenge on Mitrovic produced a debatable and profitable penalty claim for Fulham, and the Championship top scorer last season narrowly beat Alisson from the spot with a ruthlessly precise finish.

Salah had scored in five consecutive season openers and the talisman rescued Liverpool, reacting instinctively to poke Liverpool's second leveller from close range after Fulham allowed a cross to ricochet off Nunez.

Henderson almost won the game for Liverpool with seconds remaining in added time, rifling a shot over Rodak and against the crossbar after being found by Harvey Elliott. That would have been cruel on Fulham, whose encouraging start was worthy of at least a point

Mitrovic makes his mark

Colossal in the Championship but unproven in the Premier League, there was a feeling that menacing Mitrovic's 43 goals last season would surely result in a better return than the Serbia striker managed during Fulham's feeble 2020/21 relegation.

Mitrovic enhanced his remarkable run to make it 45 goals in 45 appearances here and re-introduce himself to the top level in prolifically convincing fashion.

Fulham fans were frustrated when the 27-year-old stabbed an excellent chance wide in the opening minutes, only for the powerhouse to produce one of his hallmark headers, rising above Alexander-Arnold, who gave an uncertain defensive performance, with apparent nonchalance.

There was a sense in the early stages that Fulham would regret not capitalising on their early advances inside Liverpool territory, with the likes of Andreas Pereira and Kebano causing trouble before failing to find a target - often Mitrovic - inside the penalty area.

Kebano's excellent cross for the first goal made a mockery of that, sending in the kind of delivery that Mitrovic will hope to accept all season if his teammates can keep finding moments of inspiration.

Liverpool had gone 51 matches without conceding a penalty. If Andy Madley's call looked a little soft, it was still a sign of the struggle Van Dijk and his fellow defenders faced to fend off Mitrovic.

Three goals all season was a disastrous total for a player of Mitrovic's promise during that last Premier League campaign. Now he has almost as many in 90 minutes.

It would still be a surprise if Fulham are not involved in a battle near the bottom and Mitrovic's fortunes will be fundamental to their chances of avoiding a dispiriting second relegation in four seasons.

Salah strikes for sixth successive scoring start to season

Liverpool showed creditable resolve to twice reply while behind on a day when they underperformed — and their recovery proved once again how much it helps to have Salah spearheading your attack in times of trouble.

Salah became the first player to score in five consecutive opening-day games in the top flight when Liverpool won 3-0 at Norwich in August 2021, and the Egypt superstar has now moved ahead of Leicester City's Jamie Vardy by scoring eight goals in the first fixture of the season.

His latest quick start puts him level with Premier League legends Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer on the list of players who have scored the most on day one.

Fulham centre-backs Tim Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo both could have dealt with the danger when Alexander-Arnold sent a cross inside the penalty area, only for a mix-up between the pair to allow Nunez to divert the ball in to Salah's path for a smart finish.

The equaliser is unlikely to feature on many Salah highlights reels. Legendary poachers such as Liverpool's own Robbie Fowler would have admired his intuition and alertness.

The departure of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich does not appear too alarming a development among Salah's supporting strikers on the evidence of Nunez's eventful performance after replacing Roberto Firmino shortly after the interval.

There were questions over how long Nunez would need to adapt following his arrival from Benfica for a club record £85 million in June, and Klopp might have wondered whether he had made the right call as the Uruguay international, in common with Liverpool's other strikers, toiled during an assured start to the second half for Fulham.

Two goals in 17 minutes changed that, and Luis Diaz also struck a post with a terrific strike from the slightest of chances before being ruled offside. Firepower will be among the last of Klopp's concerns if this was any indication of the three forwards' form.

The Sporting News followed the match live and provided live score updates and commentary from Craven Cottage below.

MORE: Fulham vs. Liverpool: Time, TV channel, stream, betting odds for Premier League clash

Fulham vs. Liverpool final score

  1H 2H Final
Fulham 1 1 2
Liverpool 0 2 2

Goals: Mitrovic (32, 72); Nunez (64) Salah (81)

Fulham vs. Liverpool updates and highlights from Premier League clash

Full-time: Fulham 2-2 Liverpool

Liverpool almost won it at the end! Henderson thundered a strike over Rodak and against the crossbar after substitute Elliott had supplied him.

Fulham would not have deserved that. They take an unexpected point from their return to the Premier League on a day when relentless Mitrovic made it 45 goals from 45 appearances. It finishes 2-2!

85 Mins: Fulham 2-2 Liverpool

Some introduction to English football for Nunez.

82 Mins: Fulham 2-2 Liverpool

Fulham have been excellent today but they won't be happy with the way they conceded that equaliser.

Alexander-Arnold crossed from beyond the halfway line on the right and Tosin and Ream could not conclusively head clear despite the opportunity. Nunez probably didn't expect the ball to reach him, ricocheting off his leg and in to the path of Salah in front of goal, who rolled an instinctive finish beyond Rodak.

Liverpool might feel that is a slice of fortune they deserve after Fulham's contentious penalty.

81 Mins: GOAL — Fulham 2-2 Liverpool (Salah 81)

Salah's supreme opening day record rolls on!

75 Mins: Fulham 2-1 Liverpool

72 Mins: GOAL — Fulham 2-1 Liverpool (Mitrovic 72)

Mitrovic slams his low penalty to Alisson's left. The goalkeeper dives the correct way but the shot has too much power and precision. Fulham are back in front!

72 Mins: PENALTY TO FULHAM — Fulham 1-1 Liverpool

Mitrovic goes down under a clumsy challenge from Van Dijk inside the penalty area. That's a soft call, and the striker went down very easily, but you can't blame him for looking for it. Not one of the centre-back's finest moments.

Can Fulham restore their lead?

67 Mins: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool

Ream arrives in the nick of time to fire a Nunez finish off the Fulham line. You get the feeling the striker will entertain this season.

65 Mins: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool

You can't fault Nunez for persistence. Having sent a couple of attempts awry earlier, he latched on to a left-wing delivery from Salah in front of goal and flicked his finish beyond Rodak.

That's a clever way to open his account in the Premier League.

64 Mins: GOAL — Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (Nunez)

Nunez has the ball in the net! There's an obligatory VAR check, though — this time for whether his improvised finish was from an offside position.

62 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

 

60 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Nunez has his first sight of goal after Fulham give the ball away in a dangerous part of the pitch.

The substitute looks like he can't decide whether to square a pass or shoot inside the penalty area on the left, and Fulham hurriedly clear.

59 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

"There was nothing he could do about it," Jenas says of Alisson's attempt to save that shot from Kebano that so nearly blazed in.

"I'm just so surprised that Liverpool haven't got any answers to Fulham."

57 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Kebano hits the post! It's a glorious strike from the man who set up Mitrovic's goal, swerving a dipping shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area beyond Alisson's dive and off the woodwork.

Henderson is not at all happy with Nunez's closing down. Liverpool are lucky not to be two goals behind.

55 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Pereira has impressed all game, proving a real livewire on the left. The midfielder lets himself down after a surge through the Liverpool half, though, waiting too long to play a cross which is cut out and ends up being gathered by Alisson.

52 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Fulham look comfortable. There's been no cavalry charge yet from Liverpool, who are perhaps still wary of the danger their opponents pose on the counter.

50 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Thiago's 50th Liverpool appearance comes to a close in the 50th minute after he appears to pull his hamstring.

Firmino also makes way as Nunez and Harvey Elliott come on.

48 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

46 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

We're underway again! Henderson gives away a foul inside the centre circle. Nunez is warming up on the sideline — it surely won't be long before the forward is introduced if Liverpool don't turn this around quickly.

Half-time: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Mitro's on fire.

Half-time: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Are we in for one of the shocks of the season on the opening day? While Fulham's bright start was perhaps expected in their first home game, you'd have expected Liverpool's superior class to tell as the half went on.

As it was, Mitrovic's unstoppable header - created by one of several fine moves by the Premier League newcomers - threatens a first defeat of the calendar year for Liverpool.

The fans at Craven Cottage are thrilled with this. Klopp has plenty of work to do. Only the most wildly optimistic of Fulham fans would have predicted this.

42 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

A reminder that Fulham's last Premier League win was a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in March 2021.

They have made a sensational start to their latest attempt to stay in the division for more than a season and are good value for their lead against largely uninspired opponents.

39 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Out of very little, Luis Diaz thwacks a vicious shot against the far angle of Rodak's goal from the edge of the penalty area on the left!

A warning for Fulham and a flash of brilliance from Luis Diaz, whose side were unsuccessful in their appeals for an infringement during the move they conceded from, despite a VAR review.

36 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Mitrovic now has a third as many goals as he did in the entirety of his last campaign in the Premier League.

The man who scored 43 goals last season has been a handful for one of the best defences in the division so far today.

34 Mins: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

That was a splendidly-worked goal. Fulham broke quickly again from near their own penalty area after another Liverpool attack broke up, moving the ball swiftly from left to right.

Kebano stayed just onside near the right-hand corner flag and curled an inviting cross to the far post, where Mitrovic overpowered Alexander-Arnold with typical muscularity to power a header beyond Alisson from close range. Fulham are deservedly ahead!

33 Mins: GOAL — Fulham 1-0 Liverpool (Mitrovic)

31 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Reeds runs on to a cross from the left and crashes in a shot from a central position on the edge of the penalty area. Robertson blocks, but Liverpool are on the ropes right now.

30 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Excellent from Rodak, who sends Fulham away on a quick counter-attack down the left after gathering possession from that Liverpool corner. They win a corner but cannot capitalise on the opportunity.

28 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Fabinho wins a corner for Liverpool on the right. A roar goes up as Fulham clear, then contain Liverpool as they attempt to launch a second attack.

23 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Van Dijk fouls Kebano in a dangerous position on Liverpool's left. Pereira whips a delightfully dangerous cross on to the head of the ghosting Ream in front of goal, who cannot direct his header towards goal.

Mitrovic then tries to canter on to a through-ball beyond the defence, only to be correctly adjudged as marginally offside.

21 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

It's been a quiet period, punctuated by Liverpool sending numerous crosses into the penalty area. One of them reaches Salah, who flicks a header wide with Henderson lurking behind him.

16 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Tete is booked for a naughty challenge on Luis Diaz near the halfway line, lunging in rashly from behind. Liverpool are starting to have more possession, while Fulham are looking a little less composed.

15 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Liverpool have the ball in the net but it's offside! An intricate passage of play on the edge of the Fulham box on the left ends with Firmino dwelling on the ball a fraction too long before releasing Robertson beyond the defence, who has strayed and is foiled by a fine stop by Rodak.

Diaz picks up the ball, takes a touch and curls a glorious finish into the far corner of the net in vain. Still, that's the response Klopp will have wanted.

10 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp doesn't look best pleased with the sluggish start his side have made. "Liverpool haven't come to the party yet," says Jenas.

"They want to knock it around but they're not battling. They've just not started well and aren't doing the ugly things in the game yet."

8 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Silva's side continue to look really bright. De Cordova-Reid tries to cause trouble deep in Liverpool territory and is stopped by Matic, then Reed almost reaches the byline on the left, seeing his low cross claimed by Alisson.

If Fulham can produce a deadly delivery or two, they could be in business at this rate.

6 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Fulham win a corner on their left. Matip heads the delivery away, then Van Dijk intervenes as Mitrovic tries to pounce on a ricochet inside the penalty area.

5 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Liverpool have made a quiet start. Rodak gathers an attempted through-ball inside his penalty area, then Pereira swings a cross in to Alisson's arms from the left.

3 Mins: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

Andreas Pereira swings in a useful-looking cross for Fulham before the flag goes up. "You don't want to see them intimidated," former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas tells BT Sport.

"They're getting high up the pitch and are on the front foot — all good signs."

1 Min: Fulham 0-0 Liverpool

The players took a knee before kick-off. Fulham win a throw-in inside their own half on the left, then Liverpool gain possession and start building from the back.

Mitrovic has a great chance after Liverpool give the ball away not far from their own penalty area, darting inside the danger zone from the left and stabbing a low shot wide of the far post. Encouraging for the hosts!

2 Mins to KO: 'Right Here, Right Now' by Fatboy Slim is playing at Craven Cottage as the players head into their own halves. Then 'Hey Jude' by the Beatles plays.

Salah has both his hands out and appears to be engaging in a spot of visualisation. He's a picture of focus, as ever.

5 Mins to KO: The players are heading towards the pitch for the second time today! Here are a couple of shots Liverpool shared from the warm-ups a little earlier.

10 Mins to KO: Teams will be allowed to make five substitutions during games from today. "I'm excited for it," former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand tells BT Sport about the rule change, adding that it will allow players greater recovery time.

"It's great for the fans. If you're a young player, you're definitely buzzing — you think, 'I've got more of a chance' to get on the pitch.'"

Ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch thinks the move could benefit bigger clubs more, and former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis says teams need to move with the times and adapt to the rule.

20 Mins to KO: The players are warming up! Fulham were unbeaten against Liverpool during their last season in the Premier League, taking the lead against the Reds here through a 25th-minute goal from Bobby Decordova-Reid, who starts today.

Liverpool needed a Salah penalty 11 minutes from time to salvage a 1-1 draw on that occasion.

35 Mins to KO: Liverpool are unbeaten in the Premier League in 2022 and can make it 20 consecutive league games without defeat today. Midfielder Thiago also makes his 50th appearance for the club.

50 Mins to KO: Liverpool line up like this. New striker Darwin Nunez starts on the bench, with Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz accompanying Mohamed Salah in attack.

55 Mins to KO: Here's how Fulham start. New signing Duffy is on the bench and former Manchester United prospect Andreas Pereira is their main creative midfield hope.

1 Hr to KO: Fulham have not won a Premier League match since they shocked Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on March 7 2021.

That outstanding result was as good as it got before a swift demise that did for their survival hopes, losing eight and drawing two of their final 10 league games while scoring only five times.

They have not scored more than once in a Premier League game since winning 2-0 at Everton on February 14 2021.

1 Hr 15 Mins to KO: This is the first of six Premier League matches today, culminating with Chelsea's game at Everton at 17:30 BST.

If you're looking for numbers, you can't go wrong with our guide to the key stats on the opening weekend.

1 Hr 30 Mins to KO: Will Fulham avoid relegation for the first time in four attempts in the Premier League since 2013/14? Will Aleksandar Mitrovic go closer to the three goals he scored in the top flight two seasons ago or the 43 he rattled in as a Championship player in 2020/21?

Whatever happens, the Cottagers will be helped by an experienced Premier League player they added to their ranks on Friday: uncompromising Brighton and Republic of Ireland centre-back Shane Duffy has joined the club on a season-long loan.

1 Hr 45 Mins to KO: Mohamed Salah became the first player to score in five consecutive opening-day games in the top flight on the first day of 2021/22.

The Egypt talisman is level with Leicester City's Jamie Vardy on seven goals in the first fixture of the season, and he can move level with Premier League legends Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer on the list by repeating the trick this time.

2 Hrs to KO: Hello and welcome to our coverage of the second act of the opening weekend of the 2022/23 Premier League season, which began on Friday with Arsenal's impressively resilient 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Last season, Liverpool began their campaign by winning 3-0 at a newly-promoted side who would be relegated with a whimper when they breezed past Norwich. Fulham will be hoping to avoid the immediate and longer-term fate suffered by the Canaries.

Victory for the hosts would be a huge shock, and you suspect they'd be content with a respectable performance and scoreline, if they are to lose to one of the title challengers on their return to the top flight.

Fulham vs. Liverpool lineups

Fulham projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Rodak (GK) — Robinson, Ream, Tosin, Tete — Reed, Palhinha — Pereira, Kebano, Decordova-Reid — Mitrovic.

Fulham subs (9): Leno (GK), Duffy, Cairney, Mbabu, Onomah, Francois, Carvalho, Harris, Stansfield.

 

Liverpool projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Alisson (GK) — Robertson, van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold — Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson — Firmino, Salah, Diaz.

Liverpool projected subs (9): Adrian (GK), Gomez, Chambers, Milner, Bajcetic, Van den Berg, Elliott, Carvalho, Nunez.

MORE: When is Liverpool vs. Man United? Date, time, schedule for Premier League fixtures 2022/23

What time is Fulham vs. Liverpool?

Fulham play host to Liverpool at Craven Cottage in London, UK. It kicks off at 12:30 p.m. BST on Saturday, August 6.

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date August 6 August 6 August 6 August 6
Time 12:30 BST 07:30 ET 07:30 ET 21:30 AET

How to watch Fulham vs. Liverpool

  UK USA Canada Australia
TV channel BT Sport 1, BT Sport Ultimate Peacock, SiriusXM FC - Optus Sport
Streaming BT Sport App, BTSport.com NBC Sports fuboTV Optus Sport

Ben Miller

Ben Miller Photo

Ben Miller has been writing about sport for 25 years, following all levels of football as well as boxing, MMA, athletics and tennis. He’s seen five promotions, three relegations, one World Cup winner and home games in at least three different stadiums as a result of his lifelong devotion to Brighton & Hove Albion. His main aim each week is to cover at least one game or event that does not require a last-minute rewrite.