Liverpool still needs a favor or two from elsewhere but Jürgen Klopp’s side has at least kept things interesting in the Premier League title race. Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota sealed an important 3-1 win over Fulham.
Here are the three moments Liverpool.com picked out from the Reds’ victory at Craven Cottage. The final five matches of the Klopp era read as follows: Everton midweek at Goodison Park, West Ham United in London on Saturday, Spurs at Anfield, a trip to Aston Villa, and then a home game to wave the German off — still potentially with a Premier League trophy — on the final day.
The Good
Given Liverpool won, there can be no doubting the fact that Klopp got his team selection right. Gravenberch scoring was important for the Dutchman because he had done little until that point. After it, though, he appeared to grow in confidence. Perhaps this could be a turning point for the $43m (£34m/€40m) man after a difficult season where he hasn’t really featured that much.
Jota also netted on his first start back after injury; like Gravenberch, he had done little to that point. The ex-Wolves man pulling something out of nothing, though, was much less of a surprise.
The best moment in the match, however, was Alexander-Arnold’s delightful free-kick. After Harvey Elliott saw a weak effort hit the wall when he attempted to sneak one underneath, the number 66 floated one into the top corner.
“The technique I use, it generates the power itself,” he explained afterward. “I just try to guide it and make it hard for the goalkeeper. You get one chance in a game to execute it for the team. Practice, practice, practice and it pays off on days like today.”
The Bad
It looked like Gravenberch and Jota were having off days until they popped up with vital moments, scoring a goal apiece. The Portugal forward also won the free-kick that Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring from.
No player, after those two came up with decisive actions, truly played poorly. Wataru Endō looked a little off the pace again in the center and Luis Díaz looked sharp without providing much end product but no one was too extreme either way.
Ultimately, as long as the Reds keep on winning matches, that is absolutely fine. A similar performance should be enough to beat the likes of Everton and Wolves while there is still time for Liverpool to improve even further. This was another step in the right direction.
