Hope Comes in Odd Packages
Let’s see if my feelings echo yours.
On the one hand, it’s hard not to be disappointed. Even when Fulham went 1-0 up on a break and a stunning volley from Pereira (xG on that one must have been minuscule), I couldn’t help but feel that the Reds were going to crush the Cottagers today. I was predicting four goals. But then Robbo got himself a silly red off of what, in chess, they call a blunder. Fulham’s tails were up. Liverpool looked shocked. I was wondering if this was the beginning of what would surely and gleefully be called by many a “Liverpool bottling job.”
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Two more points dropped in an otherwise eminently winnable match just feels icky.
On the other hand, the Reds came back beautifully, twice, in a game where they played 90% of the time one man down. So well did the lads do that it would not have surprised anyone if they clinched a winner in the dying minutes, and they came awfully close to doing just that. All it would have taken was a bit of luck in that crazy scramble in Fulham’s box in the 97th minute.
Showing such determination and fortitude against a very plucky team in these circumstances feels very encouraging.
Winning the Premier League is hard. Really hard. There are no easy matches, as Arsenal experienced today against an on-paper significantly poorer yet highly determined, well-organized Everton side. It puts into perspective just how remarkable both City and Liverpool have been for several years. Even if the Reds usually ended up on the losing side of that titanic battle; it makes the one time we did emerge victorious (and by such a huge margin that we were treated to seven guards of honor) all the more special.
As has been Liverpool’s wont recently, they came out of the traps flying for the second half. It didn’t take long for Gakpo’s equalizer to arrive. That goal, off Mo’s brilliant floated cross to the far post and a highly composed diving header finish, has become a bit of a signature recently. It’s hard to defend. For a fairly long while after that, it began to seem like Fulham rather than Liverpool was a man down. But then Rodrigo Muniz got a lucky break on a break (break-break?), so lucky that one could easily argue it was a very unlucky Gomez own goal instead. The Cottagers were up again.
You’d think the game was cooked. But the Merseysiders certainly didn’t think so and doubled their efforts. Two subs combined for a yet-again fantastic comeback goal. Nunez provided, and Jota – oh, how I missed Jota – did what Jota so often does when given half an opportunity. I suspect that if only he could stay fit, Jota’s record would be right up there in the world-class category.
If only.
A few players earned a note of appreciation today. Joe Gomez always somehow looks like he is a regular starter. Curtis Jones was the chief agitator and the main reason that Fulham didn’t translate their numerical advantage into sustained pressure. Gakpo did excellent work on the wing and got himself on the scoresheet in an elegant fashion. But above all, I must point to the man who is not just my man-of-the-match, but at this point, man of the season: Ryan Gravenberch.
After Robbo’s sendoff, who should be the one to step back and take on a hybrid centerback, defensive midfielder role? Ryan it was, and he fulfilled this role magnificently. It feels like there is nothing he can’t do under Slot. If Liverpool is to win a trophy or two this season, much of it would be owed to the way Gravenberch took ownership of his Swiss army knife of footballing duties.
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MacGrayver.
And with that bit of tortured wordplay done, I will leave you with this thought: Chelsea appears ascendant, but consistency is what wins titles. Nervy as it might feel following the two consecutive draws, Liverpool is still showing that consistency, whereas none of the rest do. So there is plenty of reason to stay optimistic for now.
Up the Reds.
