Liverpool 2, Fulham 0: First Thoughts

Liverpool took control early and often when Fulham came to town.

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Liverpool 2 - 0 Fulham

Liverpool: Salah 41’, Shaqiri 53’

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• Pre-Match Thought: Fuck this early kick off. Klopp went in with four changes today, including one we expected (Roberto Firmino for Sturridge up top) and one we didn’t (Shaqiri for Milner??) and Naby Keita, Daniel Sturridge, and Jordan Henderson on the bench. Mostly attack so here’s to some goals.
• Here we go and we start with a deep moment of silence for Remembrance Day.
• Five and a half minutes in and we’ve had two shots already so I don’t know what that means but I’m hoping it’s good.
• Update: Seven minutes later, nothing has happened since then.
• Some incredible build up play has seen two more shots denied but this Fulham side has been definitely aggressive in pushing and fighting us for the ball. We’re definitely going to score first at this rate. Maybe.
• Did someone move the goals? How do we keep missing?
• So when is the Fulham keeper going to get carded for time wasting because he’s held onto it every single goal kick he’s had.
• Liverpool win a free kick just outside the box and it’s Xherdan Shaqiri’s time to shine... by kicking it right into the wall.
• How do we keep losing the ball so easily? I dislike this VEHEMENTLY.
• GOAL! In a ruthless display, Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold start a wicked counterattack after Fulham’s goal is called offside, giving Mohamed Salah time to do what we all sing about and send it home to put the Reds FINALLY ahead.
• Halftime: So many missed chances. If we could actually stop shooting AROUND the goal, we would be ahead by like four at this point, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
• Back at it for Liverpool. Back to nerves at the idea of holding onto a lead like this.
• GOAL! SHAQIRI FINALLY GETS HIS! Andrew Robertson SWINGS it in and our XS (get it because his initials are XS and he’s extra small????) was in the best place to smash it in!
• This game has turned into a comedy and maybe because it’s so early where I am or because hilarious things are happening but it’s okay because we’re 2-0 up.
• Virgil taking a free kick is probably up there with Alisson wearing a cap on the pitch in unexpectedly delightful. And by unexpectedly delightful I mean what the actual fuck is going on.
• It’s my favorite time of the game, when Jordan Henderson comes off the bench to replace Georginio Wijnaldum - a surprisingly early change at 65 minutes for Klopp but I’M HERE FOR IT.
• Baby faced Hendo is reminiscent of the last time we played Fulham, he just needs that cast from his broken wrist.
• Oh my god there’s still like fifteen minutes left? It feels like we’ve dug our heels in and are just gonna ride this out which is fine because we’re up 2-0 but oh my god at least make it more exciting.
• James Milner comes in for Shaqiri in Klopp’s second change.
• CAPWATCH: ALISSON HAS TAKEN OFF THE CAP. THERE’S 8ISH MINUTES LEFT IN THE MATCH.
• Could you finally call this a convincing win? Maybe? (Knock on wood, Jordan, jesus).
• ALMOST! Salah almost gets a second from his side when it bounces off the face of a Fulham defender.
• Three minutes of additional time here at the end with Liverpool clearly looking for a third, which sure I guess let’s go for it.
• Sure, let’s put Naby on with less than two minutes to go, that’s a great idea.
• Final Whistle: I guess this is a convincing win, and there could’ve been more than just two goals but 2-0 at home is nothing to scoff at, so I’ll take it.

We’ll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today’s game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven’t already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we’ll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com