Diogo Jota return decisive as fuming Arne Slot's wish granted - 4 Liverpool talking points vs Fulham

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Andy Robertson was sent off early on for Liverpool with Arne Slot's side earning a 2-2 draw against Fulham in the Premier League thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and then Diogo Jota.

Andreas Pereira was lucky to still be on the field himself when he opened the scoring and while Liverpool improved after going down to 10 men, it was always going to be an uphill battle. Gakpo equalized before Rodrigo Muniz got what looked like would be the winner from close range.

Arne Slot was furious with the referee, Tony Harrington, on multiple occasions but Jota popped up with a composed finish to level things again. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.

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Arne Slot fumes amid refereeing controversy

While Liverpool could have no complaints about Robertson's red card once it had been determined that Harry Wilson was onside in the build-up, the Reds could legitimately be upset that Pereira, who went on to score for Fulham, had not already been sent off for his challenge on Ryan Gravenberch. VAR Stuart Attwell decided that the on-field yellow card was a sufficient punishment.

That could easily have been something where he chose to intervene. There was minimal intensity in the tackle but the point of contact was above the ankle. Had Pereira been given his marching orders, the game would have been completely different. Instead, he stayed on and scored, and then Robertson was shown the red by referee Harrington instead.

At 1-1, Joe Gomez was clattered into by Kenny Tete but no penalty was given. Slot, on the sidelines, was furious on that occasion and many others. Usually unflappable, Harrington tested his patience to the max. Slot was booked, but that was no shock. Most people either on or near the field were, with the official in a card-happy mood.

Arne Slot demands met

Slot had demanded after Girona that his side must improve in terms of intensity and general performance level, with the Spanish outfit having a couple of chances midweek when Alisson Becker was called into action. He reiterated that message in his matchday program notes.

"This isn’t being overly critical," he said. "It is about us knowing the standards that we have to maintain and not allowing them to drop. The reason for this is simple — we are playing in competitions at home and abroad that have so many quality teams and it does not take much of a drop-off to make life difficult.

"For this reason, it makes sense to always be self-critical and to recognize when improvement is needed. By doing this, you can resolve issues before they become a problem."

Against Fulham, Liverpool's players responded, though not in the circumstances they would have expected. This was a performance where each player left out there was required to step up. Jota's goal was nothing less than it deserved. This was very much a point gained for Liverpool and it needed to fight right until the end to ensure that was earned.

Diogo Jota's return proves decisive

Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa both returned to the Liverpool matchday squad, helping make up a much stronger bench than Slot has had for some time. Harvey Elliott is yet to start since his return from injury but between those three and Darwin Nunez, there is a strong contingent to turn to in times of need (or, as might well be the case at Southampton midweek, for wholesale rotation).

How crucial Jota's return proved to be too. It was him to had the composure to slot the ball home to make it 2-2 and his introduction that helped elevate the crowd noise even further. Jota is a moments player and this was a big one. He could play make a decisive impact on a few occasions across the course of the next few weeks.

Luis Diaz central amid Darwin Nunez call

It was instructive during the week that Slot said Nunez's performance in Europe was not up to standard with Luis Diaz starting centrally here. With Jota now back, the Uruguayan will need to find some form to regain his spot, though he will likely be handed another opportunity midweek.

In his place, Diaz looked lively. Again, though, this was not in the kind of match that he would have been anticipating. He ended up playing in a kind of front two with Mohamed Salah and while his link-up play helped Liverpool dominate the ball even a man down, he didn't get too many chances.

Premier League title race latest

Kicking off four points clear at the top of the Premier League table, but with a game in hand, it was about maintaining that position for Liverpool heading into the festive period. Arsenal was unable to beat Everton but Slot would not be keen on his side taking its eye off the ball. If anything, this is a time to really put your foot on the gas and press ahead with further establishing that lead.

Fulham is a tricky team (arguably better than Champions League opponent Girona, who Liverpool narrowly beat just a few days ago), which has already taken points off Arsenal and Spurs this season, as well as beating Brighton. The Reds, though, made that even more pointed by going a man down in the first half. An already tough challenge was further extended.

Given it then came back and earned a draw, that makes this a point gained. By the time Gakpo scored to make it 1-1, Liverpool was established as the team on top. A man down, it performed better than when playing 11 versus 11.

As Anfield whistled, screamed and sang those in red home, it felt like a significant moment when Jota scored; even more so with Arsenal not gaining ground. Chelsea has Brentford tomorrow but whatever happens there, Liverpool avoided defeat when it was up against it. That feels crucial.