Fulham 1-3 Liverpool: Player ratings

Liverpool went level on points with Arsenal at the top of the league after a 3-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday evening.

Reds coach Jurgen Klopp made five changes to the team that was eliminated from the Europa League in Bergamo on Thursday in an attempt to inject new energy into his side. And it worked.

Trent Alexander-Arnold put the team ahead in the 32nd minute with a perfectly executed freekick, before Timothy Castagne levelled the scores for the Cottagers just before the break.

However, the Reds reemerged with determination and retook the lead through Ryan Gravenberch’s strike from the edge of the area eight minutes after the restart.

Diogo Jota then sealed the win with a low strike from a tight angle with 20 minutes to go.

Here are your player ratings…

Alisson (GK): 7

Made an important save five minutes before the break with a strong wrist denying the in-form Rodrigo Muniz from close range. However, had he attempted a more orthodox save, he may have had a better chance of stopping Castagne’s equaliser. Otherwise, had precious little to do besides a relatively comfortable save from Tom Cairney as stoppage time approached.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB): 9

Lovely early cross that Luis Diaz perhaps should have converted. After spraying the ball around with authority in the opening exchanges, he truly announced his return with a superb freekick goal that left Bernd Leno with no chance. His influence waned as he tired going into the second half and was replaced by Joe Gomez.

Jarell Quansah (CB): 8

An accomplished performance, slotting straight back into the team without any drama. Did the basics well and started a number of attacks with his impressive range of passing.

Virgil van Dijk (CB): 9

After a shaky night against Atalanta on Thursday, the captain made some important early interventions on the way back to being his imperious best.

Andrew Robertson (LB): 7

Looked like he had started to feel the recent run of games in his legs, finding himself slightly out of position on a number of occasions in the first half. Settled down once the Reds retook the lead.

Wataru Endo (DM): 7

Improved after a shaky first half in which he was bullied off the ball in the build-up to Muniz’s chance. Showed a much calmer head and greater tenacity after the break.

Harvey Elliott (CM): 7

As expected, the youngster received a hostile reception on his return to Craven Cottage which may have got into his head. Hit a weak freekick straight at the wall in the first half, then should have at least hit the target when teed up early in the second. That said, his interception was key in the buildup to Gravenberch making it 2-1.

Ryan Gravenberch (CM): 7

Seeing him start this game was a surprise given his lack of first-team action in recent weeks and months. Despite looking mostly off the pace, out of nowhere, he popped up on the edge of the box and unleashed a superb strike for the equalising goal early in the second half.

Luis Diaz (RW): 6

Might have done better with his early header. Made a bright start in an unfamiliar position, but struggled to impose himself as the match progressed.

Diogo Jota (ST): 8

Making his first start since February, the Portuguese had an all-action first half but not too often in areas where he could cause real damage. Had a snapshot on the hour mark that almost crept in at the near post and, almost inevitably, got himself on the scoresheet in the 70th minute with a shot that Leno probably should have done better with. Jota now has 100 goals since moving to England.

Cody Gakpo (LW): 7

Had a fierce strike flicked over the bar by Leno at his near post after cutting in from the left. Looked more comfortable playing off the wing, but was nonetheless guilty of slowing down a few attacks until it finally clicked and his perfectly weighted through ball set up Jota for the third goal.

Substitutes

Mohamed Salah (Diaz, 73’): 6

With the game already won, the Egyptian barely touched the ball, except in stoppage time when he slightly overhit a cross that Darwin Nunez couldn’t quite reach then dragged a shot well wide.

Alexis Mac Allister (Gravenberch, 73’): 6

As ever, a calming presence in the middle of the park.

Darwin Nunez (Jota, 73’): 6

Always on the shoulder of the last man and blasted two efforts into the side netting from tight angles.

Joe Gomez (Alexander-Arnold, 79’): 5

Too little time to make any impact.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Gakpo, 87’): N/A

Slotted in on the left wing but barely touched the ball.