Fulham Snatch Draw Against Liverpool with Reed's Late Stunner
Liverpool managed only a thrilling 2-2 stalemate against Fulham on Sunday, thanks to Harrison Reeds incredible last-minute leveller that came right after Cody Gakpos goal for the visitors.
Gakpo appeared to have secured the points for Liverpool at Craven Cottage with his effort in the fourth minute of added time.
Yet Reed rescued a point for Fulham via a brilliant effort from distance, which hampered Liverpools bid for a top four spot in the Premier League.
In a match filled with debate in west London, Arne Slots team had fallen behind to Harry Wilsons strike before the interval.
Fulhams lead came after VAR overturned an initial offside call on Wilson.
Though that ruling seemed fair, much more controversy surrounded Florian Wirtzs response.
The German forward was first flagged offside, and Fulhams defence had eased off assuming the decision stood before Wirtz fired home.
Still, VAR intervened, deeming Wirtz just onside by the tiniest margin despite his foot appearing ahead of the line.
Liverpool, sitting fourth, remain unbeaten across their past nine outings in every competition before facing Premier League frontrunners Arsenal on Thursday.
However, it marked yet another unconvincing outing for the Reds, echoing their scoreless encounter with Leeds on New Years Day.
French forward Hugo Ekitike sat out with a hamstring problem, and with Alexander Isak sidelined plus Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Slot deployed Wirtz, Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai up top in an improvised front line.
Excitement in Added Time
The start was put back by 15 minutes owing to a health issue at Craven Cottage, and Liverpool struggled to find rhythm from the off.
Gakpo squandered a couple of chances early on, first with a blocked shot that sailed wide, then mishandling Curtis Jones pass in the box.
The visitors paid for their sluggish beginning in the 17th minute as Raul Jimenez release evaded Fulhams offside line.
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk was caught static, allowing Wilson to latch on and slot calmly beyond Alisson Becker.
The strike was first chalked off for offside until VAR cleared it, letting Wilson rejoice against his old team.
Alexis Mac Allister came close to sparking Liverpools revival shortly after the break, crashing a header against the crossbar from Szoboszlais set piece.
That ignited the 57th-minute comeback goal.
Conor Bradley powered into Fulhams backline and teed up Wirtz, who finished neatly into the far side from close in.
Wirtzs joy was briefly halted by the linesmans flag, but a prolonged check confirmed his second strike since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
Liverpool dodged danger when Jimenez failed to convert after breaking clear, with Wilson then lofting the loose ball onto the woodwork and Van Dijk blocking the next attempt on the line.
They seemed poised to capitalise when Gakpo poked in Jeremie Frimpongs delivery at the death.
Reed though had different plans, shocking Liverpool by rifling a perfect shot into the upper corner from 30 yards, his first since April 2023.