'Slot proved right sooner than he would have expected' - Liverpool vs Fulham UK media round-up

Liverpool's draw with Fulham on Saturday was full of talking points on Saturday as the Reds salvaged a draw after going a man and a goal down early on.

Andreas Pereira's early strike was followed by a straight red card for Andy Robertson, but by the end of the match Liverpool's players could have been celebrating a victory after rallying strongly in the closing stages.

Cody Gakpo and the returning Diogo Jota both scored equalizers, with the latter's coming after Fulham had retaken the lead through Rodrigo Muniz.

Here are a few things that were written about the match in the national press...

The Telegraph praised Ryan Gravenberch after another brilliant performance but also suggested the Reds' poor start to the match is part of a worrying developing trend. "Sluggish starts have become habitual for Liverpool, their trend for saving their best until the second half consistently producing results. But they paid a heavy price this time, Andy Robertson’s 16th minute red card presenting a Herculean challenge for the league leads to avoid defeat.

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"They began with a slackness in their passing and lacking the same energy as their opponents. Curiously, it was only when reduced to ten men - Slot used Gravenberch as a hybrid centre-back/midfielder - they began to create chances."

The Guardian said that the manner of Liverpool's performance, produced in the face of adversity, will serve them will in the months ahead: "In the cold light of a relentless title race it was two points dropped for Liverpool. In the heat of a gruelling assignment against Fulham, and the glow of an appreciative Anfield, it felt very different indeed. Reduced to 10 men after 17 minutes, and 2-1 down in the 85th, Arne Slot’s Premier League leaders delivered another defiant, tactically astute performance until the last. Victory eluded Liverpool, but the character on display will embolden them."

The Times, meanwhile, pointed out just how quickly the outlook of a Premier League title race can change, with Chelsea having the chance to narrow the Reds' lead at the top of the table to just two points against Brentford on Sunday: "Even on afternoons such as this when so much goes wrong for Liverpool, Arne Slot can still say he was right.

"Two weeks ago when his side opened up a nine-point cushion at the top of the Premier League, the Dutchman had announced that there would be so many twists and turns to come that focusing on that lead would be time wasted. Slot would not have expected to be proved correct quite so soon but, by Sunday evening, the advantage will be clipped to two points should Chelsea maintain their impressive momentum."

The Athletic's talking points featured a section on Mohamed Salah racking up his 100th assist for the Reds: "Understandably known for his goalscoring prowess, Salah’s ability as a creator can often go under the radar.

"Certainly not this season, with this his 13th assist of the campaign, equalling his tally from last season. He is only three behind his best-ever total for Liverpool, set in 2022-23. It helped secure a point for Liverpool and it may prove to be an important moment in their title challenge."