Liverpool dropped points in their fight for the Premier League title on Saturday afternoon, but after twice coming from behind with just 10 players, a 2-2 draw with Fulham feels like a somewhat positive result.

Arne Slot’s side played with 10 men for most of the game after Andy Robertson was sent off for bringing down Harry Wilson as the former Liverpool man was off target. By this point, Liverpool had already lost, Andreas Pereira’s acrobatic finish gave the outstanding Londoners a 1-0 lead.

The second half began with renewed energy for Liverpool. Cody Gakpo scored Liverpool’s equalizer via Mohamed Salah’s 100th assist for the club. Despite this, Fulham always looked dangerous on the counterattack and Rodrigo Muniz put them back in the lead with a quarter of an hour to go. But Slot’s team have plenty of character and the returning Diogo Jota – off the bench – secured a point with a late equaliser, and the news that Arsenal had drawn 0-0 at home to Everton also eased the pain of the draw.

Andy Jones analyzes the key moments of a dramatic game.

---

Where does this Liverpool draw lead?

Given the situation Liverpool found themselves in after 17 minutes, salvaging a point was perhaps the best-case scenario this afternoon.

When Muniz put Fulham back in the lead, it looked like all their hard work would be for naught. But on his return to Liverpool after a two-month injury layoff, Jota showed all his calm and composure and scored when Darwin Nunez sent him behind.

After the setbacks when they went 1-0 down thanks to Pereira’s goal and then lost Robertson to a red card for a foul on Harry Wilson, Arne Slot’s side could have felt sorry for themselves.

After an uncertain 10 minutes after Robertson’s dismissal, Liverpool came into the game and showed the kind of commitment that should leave no one doubting their character or their desire to win the Premier League.

---

Why was Andy Robertson sent off?

Andy Robertson’s afternoon was almost over after two minutes when he required treatment after being caught by Issa Diop.

Jarell Quansah was pulled out and ready to replace him, but Robertson recovered and was able to continue. However, his time on the pitch didn’t last long.

In the 17th minute, a crossfield pass was aimed his way. Robertson tried to control the ball but his touch gave Harry Wilson, for whom the pass was intended, the opportunity to wrestle it away from him.

The former Liverpool midfielder got to the ball first and was fouled by Robertson. Referee Tony Harrington had no hesitation in awarding the red card because the left-back had denied a chance to score.

The Scotland international had no complaints. He was almost saved by a narrow VAR offside call, but Virgil van Dijk played Wilson on the offside when the pass was played, so the decision stood.

Liverpool were already a goal behind after Robertson lost Andreas Pereira at the back post. The Fulham midfielder’s acrobatic shot from close range deflected off the defender and past Alisson.

For the 30-year-old, it was an afternoon to forget. He has to serve a one-match ban and will therefore miss the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton. With Kostas Tsimikas out injured, the Scot is the only available senior left-back for Slot. Except now he isn’t.

---

How did Arne Slot react to the red card?

For the first time under Arne Slot, Liverpool were reduced to 10 men and the head coach had to adapt while also needing at least a goal as his team were already behind.

His first change was to place Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of a back three with Joe Gomez (right centre-back) and Van Dijk (left centre-back), while also deploying Alexander-Arnold and Cody Gakpo as left and right full-backs in a back three in a 3-4 formation. 2 system. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai operated in midfield, while Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz played up front.

Gakpo struggled with an unfamiliar role, which led to a slight change from Slot. He moved Gomez to left center back, reducing Gakpo’s defensive responsibilities. In a hybrid 3-4-2 system in possession and a 4-4-1 system without possession, Liverpool were much better after this change, with their narrow full-backs providing control. Towards the end of the first half they started to put Fulham under pressure.

There was also a small change at the start of the second half: Gravenberch pushed into deep midfield and Alexander-Arnold moved inside when Liverpool had the ball. This added an extra man in midfield and helped make Liverpool’s attack more aggressive at the start of the second half, leading to Gakpo’s equalizer.

Due to an injury to Curtis Jones, Slot changed again. He brought in Jarell Quansah as the right center back and that allowed Alexander-Arnold to move into the central role that Gravenberch began to take on.

Muniz’s goal led to Slot deciding to put it all on the line. He introduced Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota and switched to a 3-1-5 system, with Gravenberch acting as the sole midfielder at times while the substitutes pushed forward. That also worked because it led to the equalizer.

---

Mohamed Salah’s century of assists

Once again, Mohamed Salah provided a moment of magic for Liverpool in their moment of need.

With the odds stacked against Liverpool, they needed something special to beat the Fulham side, who had one more man and a goal advantage.

As he received the ball in the inside right channel, he spotted Gakpo unmarked at the back post. Finding him required a cross of the highest quality, and that’s exactly what Salah provided.

It was his 100th assist for Liverpool in all competitions and was his best assist. Understandably, Salah is known for his goal-scoring abilities, but his creative abilities often go under the radar.

Certainly not this season, as it is his 13th assist this season, equaling his tally from last season. He is just three points behind his previous best result for Liverpool from the 2022/23 season.

It helped secure Liverpool a point and could prove to be an important moment in the title race.

---

What did Arne Slot say?

We will let you know after he speaks at the post-match press conference.

---

What’s next for Liverpool?

Wednesday, December 18th: Southampton (A), Carabao Cup quarter-finals, 8:00 p.m. GMT, 3:00 p.m. ET

Sunday December 22nd: Tottenham Hotspur (A), Premier League, 4:30pm GMT, 11:30am ET

---

Recommended reading

(Top photo: Getty Images)