Arne Slot's reign as Liverpool manager began with a hard-fought but ultimately convincing 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon. The Reds, under new leadership, showcased both resilience and attacking flair to secure all three points in their Premier League opener.
Early Setback and Swift Response
The match did not start according to the Dutchman's script. Fulham took a surprise lead in the 32nd minute through defender Timothy Castagne, who capitalised on some hesitant defending to fire past Alisson Becker. The home side's advantage, however, was short-lived.
Liverpool responded with characteristic speed. Just seven minutes later, the ever-reliable Mohamed Salah drew the visitors level. The Egyptian king finished clinically after being played through by Darwin Nunez, calming any early nerves among the travelling support.
Second Half Dominance Seals the Points
The second half saw Liverpool assert greater control. The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when new signing Ryan Gravenberch, introduced from the bench, marked his league debut with a goal. The midfielder arrived late in the box to convert a low cross from Salah, who had been a persistent threat down the right flank.
Liverpool put the result beyond doubt with a third goal ten minutes from time. Diogo Jota applied the finishing touch after a sweeping team move, tapping in from close range to ensure a comfortable end to the contest for Slot's side. The result sees Liverpool start the campaign with a perfect return, while Marco Silva's Fulham are left to reflect on a promising performance that ultimately yielded nothing.
What This Means for Slot's Liverpool
This victory provides the ideal foundation for Arne Slot's project at Anfield. While the defensive lapse for Fulham's goal will be a concern, the team's attacking potency and ability to recover from a deficit were clear positives. Key players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk delivered commanding performances, seamlessly adapting to the new manager's methods.
For Fulham, there were encouraging signs in their attacking play, but defensive solidity proved elusive against one of the league's most formidable forward lines. They will look to bounce back quickly in their next fixture. Meanwhile, Liverpool fans will be buoyed by a winning start that suggests a smooth transition into the post-Jurgen Klopp era.
