Liverpool FC has found its way back to success in the Premier League and is back in second place in the table. Coach Jürgen Klopp’s team defeated FC Fulham 3-1 (1-1) on Sunday after improving their performance in the second half. With the win, the Reds moved level with league leaders Arsenal FC on points (74), but Liverpool have a goal record that is eight goals worse.
Arsenal had already won 2-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. In third place in the English football championship with 73 points is Manchester City, which defeated Chelsea in the FA Cup on Saturday (1-0) and now has one game less in the league.
“Fulham usually cause us more problems so it was a good performance at the right time. We want to stay in the race, that’s clear,” Jürgen Klopp said on BBC One after the game.
Superior second half from the Klopp team
In a balanced first half, Liverpool took the lead through Trent Alexander-Arnold. After a two-month injury break, the homegrown player scored a remarkable direct free kick (32nd minute). But Fulham appeared unimpressed, increased the pressure on Alisson’s goal and equalized before half-time through Timothy Castagne (45+2.).
After the break, it was Klopp’s team again that provided the first exclamation mark: Ryan Gravenberch flicked the ball from 18 meters into the right corner (53′). Liverpool then pushed for the preliminary decision – with success. Diogo Jota pushed a through pass past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to make the final score in the 72nd minute.
Meanwhile, the struggling English record champions Manchester United reached the final of the FA Cup after a grueling game and are now challenging their arch-rivals Manchester City. In a spectacular semi-final, the favorite lost a secure three-goal lead against second division club Coventry City on Sunday at London’s Wembley Stadium and only prevailed 4-2 (3-3, 3-0) in the penalty shootout.
Coach Erik ten Hag’s team led after goals from Scott McTominay (23rd minute), Harry Maguire (45th+1) and Bruno Fernandes (59th), but Coventry hit back. Ellis Simms (71′), Callum O’Hare (79′) and Haji Wright with a hand penalty in the fifth minute of added time ensured extra time. Victor Torp (121st) seemed to have ensured the championship starter’s success, but his goal was withdrawn after video evidence.
For United, who eliminated Liverpool FC 4-3 in extra time in the quarter-finals after a thrilling game, Rasmus Höjlund scored the decisive goal from the spot. At Coventry, O’Hare and captain Ben Sheaf missed. The final of the prestigious cup competition takes place on May 25th.