Liverpool are two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after James Milner atoned for a dreadful error at Fulham.
Match Report
James Milner went from zero to hero, holding his nerve from the penalty spot to send Liverpool top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Fulham.
Experienced midfielder Milner was brought on by Jurgen Klopp to help see out a 1-0 victory, only for him to send a mindless clearance skywards, which Virgil van Dijk and Alisson left for one another and allowed Ryan Babel to cancel out Sadio Mane's 26th-minute opener.
That was Mane's 11th goal in his past 11 outings and the Senegal forward was brought down by Sergio Rico after the Fulham goalkeeper spilt Mohamed Salah's shot to hand Milner his shot at redemption.
Liverpool moved two points in front of Manchester City, who were in FA Cup action this weekend, while second-bottom Fulham are marooned 13 points from safety after a seventh consecutive loss.
Player Ratings
Match Events
26' GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (Mane)
WHO ELSE?! MANE OPENS THE SCORING! It's 1-0 Liverpool and it's that man again! An absolutely delicious one-two sees Mane burst into the area, slide through Firmino, and then cut inside to latch onto a clever back-heel return from the striker, which he finishes first-time. Simply sublime.
63' OFFSIDE! Ayite's goal disallowed
OFFSIDE! A warning to Liverpool as Fulham have an equaliser disallowed! There were no small margins in it, though as Ayite was a good five yards offside when he headed in Zambo Anguissa's deflected strike.
74' GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (Babel)
WHAT A MOMENT! BABEL RESTORES PARITY! 1-1! Milner's miskick puts Liverpool under a bit of pressure, and it's compounded as Alisson doesn't come out to clear. Van Dijk is forced to retreat and head back towards his keeper, but again Alisson fails to clear on the end of the back pass, striking his effort off Babel, who finds himself through on goal via a fortunate bounce, and he rolls a finish into the empty net against his former side!
81' Penalty Goal! Fulham 1-2 Liverpool (Milner)
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL! A rush of blood to the head from Sergio Rico, who manhandles Mane in the area, dragging him to ground under no real threat, with the ball running away from goal! Liverpool back in front, 2-1, as Milner dispatches his penalty, atoning for his role in Fulham's equaliser.
Line-ups
Fulham XI: Ryan Babel, F. Ayité, T. Cairney, T. Ream, Sergio Rico, Seri, J. Bryan, A. Mitrović, Chambers, Anguissa, Mensah
Subs: K. McDonald, D. Odoi, Fabri, C. Christie, N. Kebano, Vietto, R. Sessegnon
Liverpool XI: Wijnaldum, Lallana, Matip, Alisson, Roberto Firmino, Salah, Van Dijk, S. Mané, Fabinho, A.Robertson, T. Alexander-Arnold
Subs: Milner, Sturridge, S. Mignolet, D. Lovren, X. Shaqiri, Moreno, Origi
lesakloryz
335
I guess babel really knows van dijk weakness, although they still lost the game😂😂😂
eloksjoseph
279
I guess babel was right when he said he knew Van dijk weakness [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
DannyL
200
Milner comes in: 1) his misskick leads to a teriffic mistake 2) scores a penalty 3) stopped my heart He brought so much chaos 🤣🤣
breik
169
i didnt know that even world most expesive defender and keeper can make howler
Nischaldeep
129
Back on the top of pl✔ champions league R016 ✔ gets porto in qf of cl✔ Best week for liverpool fans🎉🎉
Noora
76
Another beautiful day for Mane and Liverpool. I'm a United fan, but even though I would like Liverpool to lift the trophy. Good luck Liverpool. Like!!👍👍
ABenC
71
Milner introduction was a poor clearance into Liverpool own penalty area where Babel scored the equaliser, fortunately for Liverpool, Mane earned a penalty and Milner converted to give Liverpool back the lead and finished off with a 2-1 winner. Liverpool now back to the top of the league table. Cheers YNWA
EpaphrasDaniel
61
For those quick to dismiss the quality of Van Dijk simply because of his mistake, I can remind you many times the GOATS Messi and Ronaldo have made costly mistakes in matches, and even the Spanish best defender, Ramos, costing his team a win by getting a silly Red card. Every world class player (Neymar, Hazard, Pogba) all make mistakes once in a while, but remember that form is temporary, but class is permanent. We still got the 3pts and Mane is now the 2nd highest scorer in the league. YNWA!
PrinceDjdowskiKess
52
Official: Mane is Liverpool main man
allfootballuser
49
Budbmos
46
Milner should really thank Football gods because that was a bad clearance from him. Klopp should also tell VVD to learn to kick the ball to safety as it indicated that a back header should not be kicked near the opponent. I could see Babel having difficulties to even score as he thought of kicking the ball out. He really had no option that's how football is. The guys really tried there best I can imagine how tired they were from playing CL during the week. People think it's easy but they are just human. I am glad for the win and it will take us a long way
zamacior
34
you can't just base on one mistake only because they are expensive..mind the team work and the result.so if the match ended in draw what would happen? hang them.. first of all remember they are human being like you.
Ismitty
30
Mane was in Salah's Shadow last Season now Salah is in Mane's Shadow this Season