Diogo Jota made a triumphant return from injury by netting a late equalizer to salvage a point for Liverpool in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Fulham at Anfield. Despite playing much of the game with 10 men following Andy Robertson’s first-half red card, the league leaders twice clawed back to deny their spirited opponents.
Jota, sidelined since October, delivered the decisive moment in the 86th minute after Rodrigo Muniz had seemingly dealt Liverpool a crushing blow. The result extended Liverpool’s lead over third-placed Arsenal but allowed title rivals to close the gap after recent weather disruptions.
Robertson sent off in an intense opening half
The match burst into life early, with Fulham center-back Issa Diop escaping with only a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Robertson inside the first minute, with the offside flag sparing further consequences. Moments later, Fulham stunned the Anfield crowd when Andreas Pereira’s deflected strike off Robertson’s leg found the back of the net in the 11th minute.
Liverpool’s woes deepened six minutes later when Robertson was sent off for denying Harry Wilson a clear scoring opportunity. A lengthy VAR review confirmed Wilson was onside as he capitalized on Robertson’s mistake, and the Scotland international was dismissed. Wilson’s ensuing free-kick narrowly missed the target, and Liverpool, despite controlling possession, struggled to create clear-cut chances before halftime.
Second-half resurgence seals dramatic finish
Liverpool roared back after the break, with Cody Gakpo leveling the score just minutes into the second half. Mohamed Salah’s perfectly placed cross found Gakpo, whose header lifted the home crowd’s spirits. A brief VAR check for a potential foul in the buildup caused tension but ultimately upheld the goal.
Fulham, however, regained their advantage when Robinson set up Muniz for a clinical finish, leaving Liverpool with another mountain to climb. Refusing to relent, the hosts pressed forward relentlessly, and Jota capped off his return with a composed finish to rescue a point in the 86th minute.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Liverpool maintained their composure and extended their unbeaten start to the season. For Fulham, frustration lingered as they missed out on securing their first Anfield win in three years, though their strong start to the campaign remains intact.
