Match reportAlexander-Arnold, Gravenberch and Jota strike in Liverpool win at Fulham

Trent Alexander-Arnold gave the Reds a 32nd-minute lead with an excellent free-kick that soared into the top corner, but the hosts levelled in first-half added time through Timothy Castagne.

Another precise strike early in the second half, this one from Ryan Gravenberch, restored the visitors’ advantage, however, and they made sure of the points courtesy of a trademark Diogo Jota finish.

The result moves Liverpool level with leaders Arsenal on 74 points each from 33 games – the Gunners claiming top spot on goal difference – with Manchester City third on 73 points after 32 fixtures.

Team news

Liverpool made five changes in the capital, with Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Gravenberch, Jota and Jarell Quansah the quintet brought in to the XI by Jürgen Klopp.

Liverpool: Alisson, Endo, Van Dijk, Diaz (Salah, 74), Gakpo (Szoboszlai, 87), Elliott, Jota (Nunez, 74), Robertson, Gravenberch (Mac Allister, 74), Alexander-Arnold (Gomez, 80), Quansah.

Unused subs: Kelleher, Konate, Jones, Tsimikas.

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First half

The Reds started the game at Craven Cottage assertively and generated a big chance inside the opening three minutes.

Alexander-Arnold sent a cross swirling into the six-yard box from the right channel and Luis Diaz met it with a flicked header that went narrowly wide of the left post.

Soon after, Fulham needed a last-ditch sliding tackle from Calvin Bassey inside his area to prevent Diaz from bringing Andy Robertson’s long diagonal under control.

Liverpool had dominance of the ball as they probed for an opening, though when the next was created – Alexander-Arnold threading Diaz through and the latter squaring it – Jota could only knee the ball behind.

Joao Palhinha saw a low effort from range scooped up comfortably by Alisson Becker before the deadlock was broken in sublime style.

Jota’s driving run was halted by Palhinha’s rash challenge and from the free-kick positioned just shy of 25 yards out, left of centre, Alexander-Arnold lifted a lovely, unstoppable curler into the top left corner.

Home goalkeeper Bernd Leno made a good save to tip over Cody Gakpo’s well-struck shot as the Reds immediately sought to strengthen their new advantage.

The visitors soon required their own goalkeeper, though. Alisson was equal to Rodrigo Muniz’s close-range hit after Palhinha had stolen the ball from Endo and picked out his teammate.

But Fulham drew level two minutes into four added on. Quansah blocked a Muniz header from their attack but the ball ran out to Castagne, who dispatched a finish through the bodies.

Second half

Elliott had an early chance to put Liverpool back ahead. However, the No.19’s effort was dragged off target having been teed up nicely in the ‘D’ by Jota.

But Klopp’s men swiftly got their second of the afternoon and it was another beauty, Gravenberch fed by Elliott – who had cut out Alex Iwobi’s pass from the back – and then curving a 20-yarder in off the right-hand post.

Leno thwarted Jota’s prod at goal from yards out after Gravenberch and Robertson had carved through, and Gakpo was later twice denied by the Cottagers’ custodian.

There was a zip to the Reds’ play now, though, and they made sure of a crucial victory in the battle for the Premier League title on 72 minutes.

Gakpo’s through ball invited Jota to bear down on goal from an angle in the left channel and the Portuguese nudged a strike past the grasp of Leno, to ensure the travelling Kop behind that goal could depart Craven Cottage delighted.