Trent Alexander-Arnold strikes late as Liverpool edge seven goal thriller

SCOUSER IN OUR TEAM: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold scores the winner. Photo credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Liverpool 4 Fulham 3

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late goal secured victory for Liverpool in a seven-goal thriller with Fulham at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s team looked to be heading to a shock first home defeat of the season when Bobby Cordova-Reid headed Fulham 3-2 in front with in the 80th minute.

But substitute Wataru Endo equalised with his first Premier League goal for the club in the 87th minute before Alexander-Arnold fired home the winner a minute later.

The local lad thought he had started the scoring with a superbly-struck 25-yard free-kick to give Liverpool a deserved lead after 20 minutes but the Premier League has since ruled that it was instead an own goal after the ball hit the underside of the bar and went in off the Fulham keeper Bernd Leno’s back.

Fulham equalised from their first attack with Harry Wilson finishing off a fine move down Liverpool’s right flank by darting in front of Virgil Van Dijk to poke home Antonee Robinson’s low cross with the ball going through the legs of Caoimhin Kelleher as he dived.

Alexis Mac Allister restored Liverpool’s lead with a spectacular long-range shot after 39 minutes. Raul Jimenez’s misdirected header gave him the time and space 30 yards out and he didn’t even take a touch before smashing his shot into the top corner of the net.

But back came Fulham again with Kenny Tete equalising in added time with a close range shot that went in off Kelleher after a VAR review confirmed he was just onside as Jimenez flicked on Wilson’s corner.

Liverpool's Wataru Endo celebrates scoring his sides third goal.

Fulham had the ball in the net again before the half-time whistle but this time Tim Ream was clearly offside as he fired home after Kelleher had parried Joao Paulinho’s powerful header.

Liverpool piled on the pressure in the second half. Darwin Nunez struck the bar when set up by Mo Salah following a swift Liverpool counter attack.

But he was then guilty of missing a sitter when he scuffed the ball straight into Bernd Leno’s arms from close range after being set up by Salah again.

Liverpool were made to pay for their profligacy when Cordova-Reid climbed above Kostas Tsimikas at the far post to head home what many felt would be the winner from fellow sub Tom Cairney’s cross.

But Klopp’s men staged one of their trademark late comebacks to secure their 11th consecutive home win in all competitions this season and close the gap on leaders Arsenal to two points.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Kelleher 6; Alexander-Arnold 8, Matip 6 (Konate 69, 6), Van Dijk 7, Tsimikas 6; Szoboszlai 6 (Gomez 65, 6), Mac Allister 7 (Gakpo 65, 6), Gravenberch 6 (Endo 80, 7); Salah 6, Nunez 6, Diaz 6.

Subs not used: Adrián, Jones, Elliott, Doak, Quansah.

Fulham (4-3-3-1): Leno 6; Tete 6 (Castagna 75, 5), Bassey 6, Ream 6, Robinson 6; Reed 6, Palhinha 6; Wilson 7 (Cairney 62, 6), Pereira 6 (Willian 62, 6) Iwobi 6 (Cordova-Reid 75, 5); Jimenez 6.

Subs not used: Rodák, Adarabioyo, Ballo-Touré, Lukic, Vinícius.

Referee: Stuart Attwell 7.