Player ratings: Fulham v Liverpool
Written by George Rossiter on 7th August 2022
In the first instalment of our revamped player ratings, George Rossiter assesses the Whites’ performance in their season opener against Liverpool at the Cottage.
A hugely deserved and respectable 2-2 draw played out on the banks of the Thames, with Serbian talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring a brace to hush any questions of whether or not he could “do it” in the Premier League.
Marek Rodak
Generally solid. Marek will know he has to be at the top of his game with new recruit Bernd Leno on the bench. Solid in the air, quality in his distribution and not too at fault for Liverpool’s goals. 6.5/10
Kenny Tete
Consistently trying to push up to Luis Diaz on the Liverpool left, which led to an early yellow card. Tete was not held back from his booking and didn’t give Diaz much to work with all game. 7/10
Tosin
A couple of shaky moments on the ball and then when Nunez came on in the second half, but generally as solid as you would expect from Tosin. An unlucky deflection off his foot contributed to Liverpool’s first but not to the detriment of his performance. 7/10
Tim Ream
Our American skipper silenced a lot of doubters who wanted him nowhere near the side before the teams were announced. Near faultless against a world-class front line, Ream was outstanding and was unlucky for the second goal scored by Salah. 8.5/10
Antonee Robinson
Defensively, that might have been the best we have seen of Jedi in a Fulham shirt. Salah was pocketed down their right hand side for the majority of the game and as a result had little effect before his goal, keep it up Antonee! 8.5/10
Joao Palhinha
Wow, we have found a superstar. Especially impressive in the first half when the Whites came out battling and winning most of their 50/50s, Palhinha was exceptional in combat against the likes of Fabinho and Thiago, a fantastic debut. 8.5/10
Harrison Reed
A typical performance from Harrison Reed. Absolutely everywhere. Complimented the new boys alongside him in the Fulham midfield perfectly and contributed both defensively and creatively, just as we know he can. 7/10
Bobby De Cordova-Reid
A few very nice touches but in general a quieter performance from Bobby. Of the two wingers, it felt like he gave his full back slightly less protection, giving Robinson more to do. Equally, of the four attacking players in the side, Bobby probably carried the smallest threat on the day. 6/10
Andreas Pereira
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother great debut in midfield. Although saying that, Andreas spent most of his game right up with Mitro almost as a second striker. A great range of passes, multiple dangerous set-pieces and consistently causing the Liverpool defence issues, the Brazilian looked magnificent. 8/10
Neeskens Kebano
Did well tracking back to help out Tete on the right after the Dutchman’s early booking and going forward was typically dangerous against Robertson with a number of cute touches. Unlucky not to put Fulham two ahead with a shot that cannoned off the inside of Alisson’s post 7/10
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Can he do it in the Premier League? You bet he can. Mitrovic was a bully up front, just like we know he can be, described by Tim Ream as a ‘monster’. Brilliant physicality to get above Alexander-Arnold for his first and beautiful feet to win the penalty, which he converted after a poorly timed tackle from Virgil Van Dijk. Mix in the goals with phenomenal hold-up play and 95 minutes of non-stop running up front, and we have this season’s first man of the match. 9.5/10 – Man of the Match
Substitutes
Manor Solomon (66’, for Neeskens Kebano)
A few nice touches but ultimately you could tell this was a player new to the physicality and pace of the Premier League – he’ll get there though. 6/10
Tom Cairney and Shane Duffy (89’ and 94’ for Andreas Pereira and Bobby De Cordova-Reid)
Nice to see a debut for Duffy and to see our club captain back in the Premier League too, both contributed to holding on to a big point in the closing moments. 6/10 for both.
