London: Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool deserved not more than a 2-2 draw in opposition to newly-promoted Fulham in a pulsating begin to their Premier League season on Saturday.
Aleksandar Mitrovic two times put the spectacular hosts forward, however Darwin Nunez got here off the bench to make an enormous affect on his Premier League debut.
The Uruguayan, who arrived at Anfield in a deal that would upward push to 100 million euros ($102 million) from Benfica, flicked house to stage at 1-1 after which teed up Mohamed Salah for an equaliser 10 mins from time.
Liverpool’s season had were given off to a flying get started by means of getting the easier of Manchester Town to win the Group Defend in what used to be billed as an early showdown between the 2 name contenders.
Alternatively, the Reds have been punished for a slow efficiency within the first hour in what may just turn out a pricey concession of 2 issues.
“The most efficient factor concerning the sport used to be the end result,” mentioned Klopp. “We were given some extent from a in point of fact unhealthy sport.
“The end result used to be high-quality, I don’t suppose we deserved greater than that. The efficiency can also be hugely stepped forward.”
Mitrovic scored 43 objectives in as many video games final season as Fulham romped to the Championship name and gave Liverpool an early caution as he stabbed simply extensive within the first minute.
A lot to Klopp’s frustration at the touchline, the guests didn’t wake from their shut eye and have been after all punished on 32 mins when Mitrovic outmuscled Trent Alexander-Arnold on the again put up to move in Kenny Tete’s move.
“We need to recognize Liverpool however in fact do our activity and consider ourselves,” mentioned Fulham boss Marco Silva. “We did a super first part, nearly highest the way in which we managed and blocked. 2nd part, we matched them.”
Liverpool flickered into existence earlier than the smash as Luis Diaz smashed in opposition to the put up from a slender attitude.
Alternatively, it used to be now not till the creation of the towering presence of Nunez that the Champions League finalists started to pose a power risk.
Nunez used to be at fault when Fulham have been inches clear of doubling their lead when he used to be stuck in ownership and the ball used to be fed to Neeskens Kebano, who drilled off the interior of the put up.
On the different finish, Liverpool’s new striker briefly made his presence felt as an audacious flick from Salah’s move used to be stored by means of Marek Rodak.
Moments later a reproduction transfer did ship Nunez’s first Premier League purpose as he backheeled in from Salah’s low move 26 mins from time.
At that time there gave the impression just one winner, however Mitrovic confirmed a stunning fleetness of foot to show Virgil van Dijk, who clipped the Serbian striker within the field.
Mitrovic coolly slotted the ensuing penalty low previous Alisson Becker, however Fulham failed to carry out within the ultimate 18 mins for a well-known win.
Every other lengthy ball into the field in opposition to Nunez brought about panic within the Fulham defence and the ball ultimately fell kindly to Salah to attain at the opening weekend of the Premier League for a 6th consecutive season.
Liverpool may just also have snatched victory 5 mins into stoppage time when Jordan Henderson’s lengthy vary strike got here backtrack the crossbar.
However some extent used to be the least Fulham deserved as they made a robust get started of their bid to keep away from relegation for a fourth consecutive season when within the most sensible flight.