Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Fulham as Florian Wirtz and 3 more good

Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Fulham as Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz scored, but Harry Wilson and Harrison Reid also netted with a crazy ending at Craven Cottage

Florian Wirtz scored for Liverpool against Fulham.(Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

CRAVEN COTTAGE, WEST LONDON // Cody Gakpo looked to be the late hero for Liverpool after Florian Wirtz had drawn the Reds level, but Harrison Reed then scored a stunner in a crazy end to the game.

Arne Slot's side was far from convincing again, this time at Fulham. Harry Wilson put Fulham in front with a good finish after a VAR review proved he was just about onside, before an even tighter call in the second half saw Wirtz draw the sides level.

Lacking quality in the final third beyond Wirtz, Liverpool struggled to create many clear-cut chances, even if it was relatively solid at the back, until Gakpo and then Reed netted in stoppage time. Arne Slot is still getting the balance right, albeit with very limited options in forward areas, but was left dealing with another suckerpunch.

Winners

Alexis Mac Allister was better here than he has been often of late and Florian Wirtz did well but needed more from those around him. Scoring his second goal in the Premier League, the German was a real bright spark. Arne Slot needed Wirtz to step up with so many senior attackers missing on the day, and he did.

Losers

Cody Gakpo was not perfect but he was playing an unfamiliar role and put in a good shift, eventually getting on the scoresheet. Wirtz aside, no one in a Liverpool jersey really shone going forward.

Perhaps that can be explained away by the absences, though, which should not be played down. Defensively, Liverpool left too much space for Wilson's goal, but Fulham didn't have loads of other chances. Reed's goal was sublime from distance.

Player ratings

Alisson Becker (6). He could do nothing about the Wilson or Reed goals that beat him and wasn't that involved overall aside from one or two easy collects. He didn't really have the opportunity to boost his score, which is no bad thing.

Conor Bradley (7). Chosen ahead of Jeremie Frimpong, who has been in good form lately, Bradley got into some good positions but couldn't quite make the most of them until he set up the Wirtz goal. That was a good driving run.

Ibrahima Konate (6). He did well at times but Liverpool didn't get the high line right for the opening goal. He also passed the ball straight out of play at one stage in the first half.

Virgil van Dijk (6). Playing Wilson on for the goal, albeit very narrowly, the Liverpool captain was unable to help his team keep a clean sheet. Not bad, but nothing special.

Milos Kerkez (6). Back in the starting XI after dropping out vs Leeds, the former Bournemouth man didn't get that involved down the left. Again, not poor, but didn't do enough in attack.

Ryan Gravenberch (6). Drifting forward in the attack on occasion, the Liverpool ace wasn't able to stamp his authority on proceedings. Put his foot in a few times and covered for Bradley at full-back, but wasn't as influential as he can be.

Alexis Mac Allister (7). In a deeper role than he has been used to of late, the Argentine did quite well at times but there wasn't much movement in front of him for passes to be threaded through. Unlucky not to score when his header his the crossbar.

Dominik Szoboszlai (6). Started nominally off the right, but the width came more from Bradley. Swung in a couple of good crosses but largely crowded out. One free kick went well wide.

Florian Wirtz (7). Without the injured Hugo Ekitike, there was plenty of emphasis on him to not just create, but also score. He was popping up all over the field and trying his best to create, but needed a bit more from those around him. In the end, he finished well himself.

Curtis Jones (6). Coming off the left flank, Jones did well enough when he was involved, but wasn't on the ball many times. Frustrated and wasn't able to beat his man much.

Cody Gakpo (7). Operating down the middle for the first time in a long time, the Dutchman made some good runs without being found but also didn't make the most of the chances that came his way until right near the end. Scored from close range when he was miles offside and then netted a late goal that look to be the winner.

Substitutes

Jeremie Frimpong (6). Brought on to replace Wirtz, he couldn't get into the game that much but crossed for Gakpo's goal. Rapid, but often crowded out.

That there were no other attacking changes made by Arne Slot until the 85th minute (Federico Chiesa) says plenty about the lack of options that he has at the moment, with Hugo Ekitike the latest one to pick up an issue that stopped him from being involved.