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Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool’s performance in the 2-2 draw with Fulham on the opening weekend of the Premier League season “was a defeat”, with the best aspect of the day being the result.
Fulham have proven difficult opponents for Klopp’s side in recent years – the Cottagers now unbeaten in their last three top-flight meetings – and Liverpool had to come from behind twice to cancel out two goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The Serbia striker has notoriously struggled for goals in the top division but showed no sign of any issues against the Reds, opening his account for the campaign in the 32nd minute.
Darwin Nunez cancelled out Fulham’s lead with a cleverly improvised backheel just after the hour mark.
However, a Mitrovic penalty restored the home side’s advantage.
But not all was lost as Nunez then set up Salah – who calmly slotted home Liverpool’s crucial equaliser with 10 minutes left in the game.
The Liverpool manager said afterwards, “The best thing about the game was the result. We got a point from a really bad game. The result was fine, I don’t think we deserved more than that. The performance can be massively improved.
“We could have won the game because we had good chances but it was probably a bit too much today.
“We started in exactly the opposite way that we wanted. We had to break lines but we played into their hands.
We didn’t find a way into the game and then we were overplaying.
“We are used to more dominance but we couldn’t get that as we weren’t quick or precise enough. The best thing about this game is the result so I’m fine with the point.
“I’m happy for the punishment we got. We could’ve lost three points but in the end, we lost two.
“The performance was a defeat, the result wasn’t. We have to learn from what happened today, but I don’t want to take anything away from Fulham. They did really well. The truth is we played a really bad game and got a point.
“It’s my responsibility to find out why we played a really good game against City (in the Community Shield) and then we play seven days later a game which is completely upside down. It’s up to me to find out why.”
The warning signs were there for Klopp as Liverpool struggled to get going and string passes together early on, before being caught on the break.
