Liverpool dropped late points again in the Premier League, as Harrison Reed’s long-range strike secured a 2-2 draw for Fulham. Arne Slot’s team led deep into stoppage time at Craven Cottage, yet defensive lapses in the final moments meant another advantage disappeared in dramatic fashion.
The match swung several times. Harry Wilson struck first for Fulham, before Florian Wirtz levelled for Liverpool. Cody Gakpo then appeared to settle the contest with a stoppage-time finish, only for Reed to unleash a 30-yard shot that flew past the defence and denied the visitors victory.
Slot focused on Liverpool’s responsibility for the outcome, stressing that the result again slipped away late. "In an away game, scoring two goals should maybe be enough to
win the game," he said. The head coach highlighted similar situations earlier in the season, when his side also lost control late on.
Slot described a familiar pattern where strong work is undone by one moment. "It's not the first time this season that we fought so hard and think we have a win, but conceded an incredible strike. " The coach underlined how such finishes have repeatedly cost Liverpool points in tight Premier League contests.
Explaining the decisive situation, Slot detailed Liverpool’s setup for Fulham’s final attack. "We were 2-1 up having to defend a long throw-in. We brought [Joe] Gomez in because he is very good in the air, but they didn't take it long, they took it short, and it was an incredible strike. " Slot admitted the plan did not work.
The dropped result added to Liverpool’s frustration in the title race. "So many points have disappeared for us. Of course, it is frustrating. We have to improve, so a shot in the last minute does not immediately lead to us losing points. That is what we are trying to do, but we have not done that yet. "
Slot felt Liverpool raised the level after half-time. "I liked our second half more than our first half. We controlled the game and were close a few times; of course, you always want more. Once in a while, the boys should get a reward, but we do not get it and, once again, the only one to blame is ourselves. "
Cody Gakpo echoed that disappointment after scoring what looked like the winner. "It's disappointing for us," added Gakpo. The forward reflected on the late swing, saying Liverpool worked hard, dominated parts of the second half, and still could not manage the key defensive actions when it mattered most.
Gakpo accepted that both ends of the pitch required sharper work. The forward noted that Liverpool might have taken more of their chances earlier. Gakpo also accepted that the team could have handled Fulham’s two goals more effectively, stressing that the group must show greater consistency across the full 90 minutes.
| Team | Scorer | Minute |
|---|---|---|
| Fulham | Harry Wilson | First half |
| Liverpool | Florian Wirtz | Second half |
| Liverpool | Cody Gakpo | 90+4 |
| Fulham | Harrison Reed | Late stoppage time |
For Fulham, the point extended a strong Premier League run. Marco Silva’s side stretched an unbeaten streak to five league matches. Reed’s effort was also a personal landmark. The midfielder had not scored in the top flight since April 2023, when Reed netted against Everton.
Silva praised Reed’s attitude despite limited recent playing time. "Harrison is not playing the minutes he would like, but he is the first one pushing the others to go forward," head coach Marco Silva said. "I am very pleased for him because if someone deserves a moment like that, it is him. "
Silva also analysed Fulham’s collective work without the ball. "I think we did control the game very wellnotwith the ball like we like to dobutwe did it very well. They overload a lot of areas, and we covered them very well. " The coach highlighted Fulham’s defensive structure against Liverpool’s attacking movement.
A very well-deserved point.pic.twitter.com/ARtxE0FTI5Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 4, 2026
Reed described entering the pitch shortly before Liverpool’s late goal. "I came on and then, two minutes later, they scored, so I did my best to keep the boys going," Reed added. "I knew we were going to get another chance, I thought it would be a bit more clear-cut than that, but it came to me nicely. "
The midfielder recalled the strike itself and the emotion that followed. "Kevin has given me the ball and I had no other option but to hit one. What a feeling![It was] definitely adeserved point. " Reed’s powerful effort capped a display where Fulham’s work out of possession limited Liverpool’s threat for long spells.
Reed felt Fulham’s tactical discipline justified the result. "When you watch it, especially the first half, we had real control of the gamemaybe not as much with the ball but out of possession, we nullified them a lot. They didn't really look like threatening us at all. Then in the second half, they put a few more bodies forward, pressed a bit higher and got their goal. I thought it was maybe offside, but afterwards, we dealt with it really well, and we take the point. " The draw left Liverpool frustrated, while Fulham continued a steady Premier League sequence built on structure and resilience.
