Fulham host Liverpool at Craven Cottage on Saturday as the Premier League newcomers have an almighty test in the opening weekend of the new season.
LIVE STREAM FULHAM vs LIVERPOOL
Marco Silva’s Cottagers rose to the second-tier title last season as he continues his yo-yo between the Premier League and the Championship. This season is about one thing for Fulham: staying in the Premier League.
As for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, they came very close to winning the Premier League title for the second time in three years, but Manchester City overtook them on the final day. But there is renewed optimism around Anfield that they can once again be crowned champions.
Below is everything you need before Fulham vs Liverpool on Saturday.
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How to watch Fulham vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kickoff: 7:30 a.m. ET, Saturday
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Live analysis of Fulham vs Liverpool! – By Joe Prince-Wright at Craven Cottage
FULL TIME: Fulham-Liverpool 2-2. They can! What a great point that is for Fulham and you know what, they deserved it. What an exciting start to a busy Saturday in the Premier League.
A few minutes to go here. Can Fulham hold on?
GOALLL! Mohamed Salah equalizes for Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold cross missed by Tim Ream and the ball rebounds to Salah, who touches home. What game!
For the sixth season in a row, Mo Salah has scored on opening day! #LFC
Liverpool has leveled the game again. With less than 10 minutes to go, will there be a winner? Reach @pavorealtv NOW! #MiPLMorning | #FULLIV pic.twitter.com/wbAVxisD2K
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 6, 2022
Fabio Carvalho, the teenage sensation who joined Liverpool from Fulham this summer, tops the volleying effort. Cue relief among the local fans.
GOALLL! Fulham win 2-1. Mitrovic scores the penalty kick after Virgil van Dijk committed a clear foul on him. Incredible scenes here at Craven Cottage. The Fulham fans are in the land of dreams.
PENALTY TO FULHAM!
GOALLL! Darwin Núñez with a bold move coming in through a detour after some great work by Mohamed Salah on the right. Liverpool equals. Play well here at Craven Cottage.
CLOSE! Salah passes the ball to Darwin Núñez, but his back heel shot is saved. Fulham fans sat behind me: ‘This can’t last!’ Could it though? Liverpool are quite frustrated.
MAIL! How did that not get in!? USMNT‘s Tim Ream does brilliantly to win the ball back and forward, then Neeskens Kebano’s shot goes past Alisson but hits the post and bounces off. So close to a second for Fulham.
Outside the inside of the post!
Fulham came very close to doubling their lead over Liverpool.
📺: @pavorealtv #MiPLMorning | #FULLIV pic.twitter.com/mTs6bXptcL
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 6, 2022
Subdued start to the second half here at Craven Cottage. Fulham sitting a bit deeper and Liverpool trying to come out from behind.
Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott came on early in the second half for Liverpool. Thiago slowly walks away with an injury.
👏 Fulham have been excellent and totally deserve their lead against Liverpool here in very lively West London.
This is how to watch the second half ➡️ https://t.co/qqTf1pV6nn
My thoughts from here at Craven Cottage ⤵️ #FFC #LFC #FULLIV pic.twitter.com/dAplh3Eh6t
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) August 6, 2022
HALFTIME: Fulham 1-0 Liverpool – Mitrovic’s header made the difference for Fulham that really rocked Liverpool here. The Reds have come close on a few occasions, but Fulham fully deserve their lead with new signings Pereira and Palhinha particularly impressive.
MAIL! Luis Díaz hits the post with a nice effort that almost hits a shot from an impossible angle. Liverpool so close to equalizing.
It should be 1-1. Andy Robertson is at the back post and his ball through the goal barely misses the rushing Liverpool players. Very good game, this one.
GOLLLLL! That was coming. Aleksandar Mitrovic heads the back post as he towers over Trent Alexander-Arnold to point his head. Fulham totally deserve that advantage. They have been excellent so far. The local fans have gone absolutely crazy here at Craven Cottage!
It had to be him!
After scoring 43 goals in the Championship last season, Aleksandar Mitrovic gives Fulham the lead over Liverpool. #FFC
📺: @pavorealtv#MiPLMorning | #FULLIV pic.twitter.com/lBBjewxchA
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 6, 2022
BLOCK! Harrison Reed’s shot is well blocked by Robertson and Mitrovic twice almost made it to the end of a cross. Fulham have a real chance here. Liverpool still hasn’t started.
The Fulham fans are, shall we say, ‘disgusted with the refereeing’ in this first half. Joel Matip has gotten away with some questionable tackles. The hosts still resist.
CLOSE! Fulham’s Pereira takes a free kick which Tim Ream heads wide, then Joao Palhinha’s effort is deflected wide. Very good pressure from the hosts.
Luis Diaz has the ball in the back of the net with a beautiful curved shot… but Andy Robertson was offside in the build-up. However, a decent finish from Diaz and much better from Liverpool.
Fulham have a real chance here. Antonee Robinson flying down the left flank at every opportunity. Liverpool seem a bit shaken. Local fans love it.
KICK OFF: And a very good opportunity for Fulham right away! Alexander-Arnold’s clearance falls squarely on Mitrovic and he takes too many touches, then pushes an effort harmlessly wide. Mitro seemed to be a little unsure if he hit that or not.
The crews are out, it’s loud here at Cottage and we’re ready. Let’s go.
Hello and welcome to Craven Cottage! It’s a beautiful day here on the banks of the River Thames. What an amazing place to kick off the first Saturday of the new season.
🚨 Welcome to Craven Cottage!
What a day for a game here on the banks of the River Thames. Awesome.
They can #LFC have a good start in front of the new guys #FFC? #USMNTReam and Robinson’s start.
I will have live analysis of Fulham vs Liverpool here ➡️ https://t.co/qqTf1pV6nn pic.twitter.com/dNJD9ntC1E
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) August 6, 2022
Fulham team news, injuries, lineup
Joe Bryan and Harry Wilson are ruled out with wrist and knee problems respectively, while new signings Bernd Leno, Shane Duffy and Kevin Mbabu are on the bench, while other new boys Joao Palhinha and Andres Pereira are starters. USMNT duo Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson start for Fulham.
Your first Fulham of 2022/23! 👊#FULLIV pic.twitter.com/ZEyrqLHRog
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 6, 2022
Liverpool team news, injuries, lineup
Jurgen Klopp has been mixing things up throughout pre-season, but we saw what came very close to his best starting line-up in the Community Shield win against Manchester City last weekend.
Liverpool are without Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Caoimhin Kelleher and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while Kostas Tsimikas, Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate are shaking off the punches. Alisson returns to goal after missing most of pre-season with an abdominal problem.
This is how we line up for our 2022/23 @PremierLeague opener 👊🔴 #FULLIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 6, 2022
key stories
For Fulham it has been a wild ride over the last five seasons with two relegations and three promotions to the Premier League. Life at Craven Cottage is anything but boring. All their hopes are pinned once again on Aleksandar Mitrovic, as the Serbian goalscoring machine (at least in the second division) will be dotted with crosses and the hope is that he can finally be more prolific in the Premier League. Marco Silva has been outspoken that Fulham won’t be making many signings this summer and that staying on their feet will be a huge achievement. Silva loves to fight back and needs a strong start to the season to generate positive vibes. Side note: Fulhamerica remains strong with Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson set to play key roles this season.
Liverpool have had a pretty decent and quiet off-season overall. They sold Sadio Mane earlier in the summer but replaced him with the club’s record signing Darwin Nunez, who seems destined to be the next forward star at Anfield. And oh yeah, they also managed to sign Mohamed Salah to a new long-term contract. Klopp’s side have had some strange results in pre-season but are warming up nicely for the new campaign and the big questions revolve around how Nunez, Diaz and Salah will fit together as a forward trio, plus how much gas they have. players like Jordan Henderson. and Thiago Alcanatara have gone in the tank for another push for all four trophies.