Premier League - Fulham 1 Liverpool 2
Liverpool return to the top of the Premier League table
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.
Joel Matip miscued a free header from Trent Alexander-Arnold's 18th-minute corner, leaving it to the Reds' form man to open the scoring.
Mane darted towards a backpedalling Timothy Fosu-Mensah and slotted a pass to Roberto Firmino, continuing his run to convert the Brazil forward's cutback from the byline.
Fosu-Mensah made a timely tackle on Mane in the 52nd minute but the loose ball fell to Andy Robertson, whose cross was headed over by Georginio Wijnaldum – the start of a bombardment from the wings that the hosts just about survived.
Around the hour, a downpour hit Craven Cottage and Fulham belatedly entered the contest as an attacking force – Floyd Ayite having a header chalked out for offside.
Mane glanced a 72nd-minute corner against the bar before Van Dijk contributed to an improbable leveller from his fellow Netherlands international and ex-Red Babel.
But like Alisson before him, Rico erred and Milner drove a redemptive spot-kick down the middle of the goal.
Goals/Highlights
James Milner converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
Ryan Babel right footed shot From very close range to the centre of the goal.
Goal! Fantastic work by Sadio Mane, a surging run and an exchange of passes with Firmino, the Senegal striker smashes the ball to hand Liverpool the lead!
Peep! We are underway in West London!
Live Updates
Preamble
Uhoh! Our Studio guest David Moyes is not a fan of VAR! Do you think the technology will benefit the league next year?
David Moyes has lost faith in VAR after a string of controversies!#beINPL 📺 HD11 pic.twitter.com/yLG05uvf4o — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) March 17, 2019
Now for Liverpool! Two changes from the side that won in Munich mid-week! No Jordan Henderson in the squad and James Milner drops to the bench. Adam Lallana and Fabinho come into midfield.
🔴 #FULLIV TEAM NEWS 🔴
Here’s how we line up against @FulhamFC 👊 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 17, 2019
Team news! First up Fulham! Four changes that lost 3-1 to Leicester last time out! Zambo Anguissa, Jean Michael Seri, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Floyd Ayite all come in. Notably, Ryan Sessegnon drops to the bench! Ryan Babel faces his former side.
🥁... #FULLIV team news is now in, and there are 4⃣ changes for the Whites this afternoon 👇 #COYW pic.twitter.com/Do4gCikxgt — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) March 17, 2019
It's not looking good for Fulham who is firmly wedged into the relegation zone. Can caretaker boss Scott Parker spring an upset?!
Matchday is here... 👊#FULLIV #COYW pic.twitter.com/a9d3cfPHyq — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) March 17, 2019
Good news! Mohamed Salah and the boys have arrived!
📍 Today's venue...#FULLIV pic.twitter.com/h2WM5wk9WR — Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 17, 2019
So here we go, just under an hour away to game time! Shall we get this party started with a video highlighting the best of Damien Duff (You know, being St Patricks and all) SURE WHY NOT!
As it's #StPatricksDay...
Sit back and enjoy some of Damien Duff's finest goals. 🇮🇪 #COYW pic.twitter.com/wf3DdDxkGX — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) March 17, 2019
Good Afternoon! Liverpool can return to the top of the table with a victory over relegation-threatened Fulham. Fresh from that emphatic win mid-week in the Champions League can Liverpool follow up and overtake Man City? As ever, we have covered on the beIN SPORTS website for the game with all the latest team news, Live Match Commentary and the goals as they go in!
