The collective groan that met the final whistle at Anfield after the 2-2 draw with Fulham highlighted the fans’ frustrations.
But this slip-up felt a little different. In some ways, it was galvanising. The groans were not of discontent but more of annoyance that time had run out for 10-man Liverpool to find a winner as, despite the overall setback, there was a lot to like about the game plan and the adaptability of head coach Arne Slot, who flicked through the playbook in search of the magic formula.
Two points dropped so close to Christmas would usually feel damaging because this tends to be when title winners grind through the gears. Manchester City began their 23-game unbeaten run midway through December last season and were also impressive over the festive period en route to the title in the three years before that.
Yet, they were never perfect and failed to win at the very same stage as Liverpool did this weekend in two of the last four seasons, which should serve as a reminder that the draw against Fulham could be recognised as a decent point by the end of the season.
So many things went against Slot’s side on Saturday, a role reversal of how the first 14 league games of the campaign had played out. Liverpool were down to 10 men following Andy Robertson’s early dismissal and twice fell behind, while Fulham’s Issa Diop and Andreas Pereira were fortunate not to be awarded red cards. Kenny Tete had also sent Joe Gomez tumbling in the box only for penalty calls to be ignored.
Perhaps a game like this was on the horizon because so much has gone well for Liverpool this season when all signs pointed towards a difficult campaign. Managerial changes are not supposed to be this smooth, yet Slot has introduced a barely believable level of composure. Early into this season, Liverpool were so controlled they verged on being boring. When injuries piled up there was no noticeable change in form because the fringe players deputised so well.
Saturday was a different sort of test, though, and Liverpool responded with a performance that had enough positives to suggest they have the staying power to remain top of the division.
“I am very, very happy about the performance, couldn’t have asked for more,” Slot told reporters after the match.
Liverpool, who had played 450 minutes at Anfield without conceding before Pereira’s opener, have still only dropped points in four league games this season. With 10 men, they dominated the ball, created chances and put Fulham on the back foot. They made more successful passes (469) than their average (459) for the season and had more possession (61 per cent) than in four other home games this season.
Perhaps the greatest achievement was limiting the threat of the opposition to such an extent that, at times, it felt like they were the team with the man advantage.
Admittedly, not all of the performance was smooth. Slot hadn’t prepared extensively for the challenge of one day playing with 10 men, which makes the effort from the players even more impressive.
It doesn’t get much more difficult than already being a goal down against an in-form team with perhaps the best attacking left-back in the Premier League in Antonee Robinson and plenty of other quality in support, yet Liverpool handled the challenge well.
A quick adjustment after Robertson’s dismissal saw Cody Gakpo moved to left-back but the change was abandoned after five minutes when it was clear the Dutchman struggled to adjust to his new task. “That looked better on the tactics board,” Slot laughed.
Moving Joe Gomez into the position left vacant by Robertson made more sense and then Liverpool had a platform to build from.
Slot struggled to keep a lid on his emotions and was booked for a third time this season for complaining about a booking handed to midfielder Curtis Jones. He faces a touchline ban for the Carabao Cup game at Southampton on Wednesday but the Dutchman was level-headed enough to mix and match his players so that they maintained a defensive solidity while also staying firmly on the front foot in attack.
Playing with such bravery and courage will show him that this team has the makings of becoming a group of winners. Ryan Gravenberch filling in at centre-back so successfully added another layer of brilliance to his form and the work rate of the entire forward department showed they offer more than goals and assists.
Having Diogo Jota back from injury was vital to Liverpool gaining a point on Saturday and keeping him fit will be important for the club in this exciting title race.
It’s rare that so many positives can be taken from a game Liverpool failed to win. In more recent years, it could have been costly. Yet, this doesn’t feel like one of those blockbuster seasons where a ridiculously high points tally is needed to win the title. Liverpool have got out of jail free.
Arsenal’s draw with Everton at the Emirates arrived in much different circumstances and posed more pressing questions for Mikel Arteta’s side than those Liverpool face. There are only so many games that can become missed opportunities in a title race, only so many points that can be dropped.
(Top photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
