Arne Slot was asked if his glass was half-full or half-empty after Liverpool secured an unlikely draw. He might concede that it depends which half you are talking about.
Liverpool will soon be labelled a second-half side given their ability to recover from sluggish starts.
They paid a price this time, reduced to 10 men for effectively 90 minutes against Fulham given how much stoppage-time referee Tony Harrington added. Two precious points were squandered and Chelsea given a chance to further cut Slot’s lead on Sunday.
But in the context of an extraordinary game, Liverpool’s coach applauded his players’ resilience. They twice equalised, with their bold approach when a man down almost leading to an injury-time winner as Diogo Jota showed what the side have missed in his injury-enforced absence.
Slot’s tweaks deserve focus too, his changes to the formation and personnel having a major impact, none more so than the decision to introduce Jota and Harvey Elliott shortly after Rodrigo Muniz nudged in what he must have thought was the winner in the 76th minute.
Arsenal’s draw with Everton meant the damage felt minimal, with Liverpool extending their lead at the top of the Premier League. In the circumstances, it was an excellent point.
The manner in which they were able to wrestle back control with 10 players made the unconvincing opening more frustrating, with a striking contrast between the team who ended the game scampering after every loose ball and pinning the opposition in their own territory and the one who had begun so lethargically.
The same was said after Liverpool recently drew with Newcastle United and won in Girona. It may not be a coincidence that the most impressive recent full 90-minute performances were against Manchester City and Real Madrid, opponents who obviously demand attention from the first whistle. Had the same courtesy extended to Marco Silva’s side, Liverpool would not have found themselves in such a mess and the second-half surge would most likely have brought victory.
Liverpool conceded early after a fine end-to-end passing move led to Andreas Pereira converting at the back post. The challenge to avoid defeat became Herculean when Andy Robertson was sent off in the 16th minute.
Referee Harrington had no option but to dismiss the Liverpool captain when his mis-control promised to send Harry Wilson one-on-one with Alisson, prompting Robertson to haul down his opponent.
It was symptomatic of Liverpool’s slackness in those early minutes. That has perturbed Slot before. This time he was justifiably keener to emphasise the fighting spirit which followed.
He also believed Robertson’s lapse in part owed to his desire to play on with an injury. Issa Diop was booked for a studs-high challenge on the left-back after 30 seconds. The VAR saw no reason to intervene.
“If I look back at the 100 minutes I was not surprised he [the referee] did not give [Diop] the red card. It is up to you how you read that comment,” Slot said.
“The character the team showed, that is what Robbo showed. If you get a kick like this, two studs on a knee, that can hurt for a few minutes. But the moment I noticed he wasn’t completely himself was the one time they put the ball in behind and he started running and was just able to head back to Ali.
“I felt: ‘Hmm, OK, let’s see how this continues and I think it was quite soon afterwards he conceded the red card. Nothing to blame him, [he showed] the character to continue because he got quite a hard knock with two studs. Unfortunately, it led to a red card which was a deserved red.”
Curiously, Liverpool proceeded to perform better with 10 players, aided by the manager’s courageous tactical switch. Rather than sacrifice an attacker, Slot used Ryan Gravenberch as a hybrid centre-back/midfielder. It worked.
Even after Cody Gakpo equalised shortly into the second half, Slot continued to gamble in pursuit of a winner, although the yards of space — especially on Liverpool’s right — ensured Fulham were just as likely to score on the counter-attack.
So it proved when the outstanding Antonee Robinson, Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson combined to enable Muniz to restore Fulham’s advantage.
Robinson has often been linked with Liverpool and, on this evidence, it is easy to see why as he tirelessly supported the attack while marking Mohamed Salah. He could not keep the Egyptian completely quiet — few can — but he dealt with him as well as any recent visitor to Anfield.
“What a performance. It is difficult to express in words and not for the first time,” Silva said of his captain.
Pressed on whether Robinson is the best left-back in the league, Silva added with a smile: “January is coming, I don’t want to go in that direction. He is crucial for us as a player, whether he is the best or not.”
Just as Fulham considered victory, Slot responded again, his substitution returning momentum to Liverpool, with Jota’s typically cool finish beating Bernd Leno to set up a frantic finale.
There were mixed feelings on both sides, Slot and Silva both happier with the team’s performances than the outcome. Liverpool’s general content despite a home draw is fair enough. If they maintain their current trend, the second half of the season will be even better than the first.
What a game at Anfield! The hosts came back twice to earn a point against a brilliant Fulham side.
Liverpool drop points for the fourth time under Arne Slot in the Premier League but they still remain five points clear.
It ends 0-0 at a very unhappy Emirates Stadium. Arsenal just couldn’t find that moment of magic against a stubborn, organised and resilient Everton defence.
There were some titanic performances from the Everton backline, with Branthwaite and Tarkowski each making seven clearances each and Idrissa Gueye working tirelessly in midfield. He won back possession on 10 separate occasions
Eddie Howe’s side cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Leicester at St James’ Park to end a run of four games without a win.
A rampant Newcastle side claimed their first victory in a month, with two goals from Jacob Murphy – goals from Brumo Guimares and Alexander Isak giving Ruud van Niselrooy his first defeat as Leicester manager.
Defensive woes again for the hosts – this could just spell the end for Gary O’Neil’s tenure.
Harry Clarke fires in a sublime ball which is met by Jack Taylor at the back post – he charges towards the away end whilst ripping his shirt off.
And it is all over at Molineux – what a result from the visitors!
Nine minutes of added time. Do not bet against a winner at Anfield. Both teams capable.
Darwin Nunez plays in Diogo Jota on the edge of the area – he slots brilliantly past Bernd Leno to bring Liverpool level again.
Still time for a winner at Anfield?
Arsenal have had more than 75 per cent of the ball today but they are still yet to create a really clear chance in this second half. It is turning into a truly great defensive showing by Everton and the home fans are audibly frustrated. Arteta is demanding more from those supporters, whipping his arms up in response to their groans.
Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson have been outstanding for Fulham. It was only a matter of time before they took advantage of the gaps Liverpool were prepared to leave pursuing a winner. Surely they can’t mess it up from here.
Another brilliant goal from Fulham. Iwobi holds off Quansah as he gets towards the touchline and crosses for Muniz – who produces an excellent touch to flick the ball past Alisson.
What drama at Anfield!
Having equalised, many managers would settle for a point when down to ten men. Slot is still gambling in pursuit of a winner. It means Fulham look increasingly dangerous. They’ve wasted several good counter-attacking opportunities already.
Cunha comes to Gary O’Neil’s rescue. Guedes plays a lovely ball in behind for Cunha. His efforts beats Muric at his near post – but the Ipswich goalkeeper has got to be better for the visitors – another error costing his side.
One of Arsenal’s problems today is that their crosses into the box have been unusually poor.
Many of them have sailed over the heads of the attackers, while Everton have been comfortable with the rest. It has been a very impressive defensive performance by Sean Dyche’s team.
Ipswich on the counter and they look dangerous. The hosts need to do more if they want to get back into this.
And it is four for Newcastle United. It’s like cutting through a ribbon with a sharp pair of scissors as Joelinton and Gordon pass their way through Leicester’s pedestrian midfield, Isak advances and draws the centre back and then lays it square for the onrushing Murphy to lash home in front of Leazes End.
This is some return to form for Newcastle but Leicester have been dreadful.
It’s all Arsenal at the Emirates. Arteta’s men are pouring forward. But still no breakthrough and the Everton fans are getting louder in the corner.
Arteta has made some big changes: after 60 minutes he has taken off Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. Jorginho is on in the base of midfield and Ethan Nwaneri, the 17-year-old star, is on for Odegaard – a bold substitution.
Well that is how you start a second half. Having wasted too many chances in the first half, Newcastle have taken the first two that came their way after the break.
Leicester City will not want to see them again although you suspect Ruud van Nistelrooy will force them to do so. The first, scored by Bruno, came when Lewis Hall was left unmarked at the far post from a free kick to nod back across the face of goal, the second came when Gordon was given the space to charge down the left and cross for Isak to head home via deflection off Connor Coady.
Newcastle well and truly on top and Leicester look like a rabble. They’ve been totally outplayed by a side that was lacking confidence coming into this match.
What a response from the hosts! Mohamed Salah with a beautiful cross from the right and Cody Gakpo gets a head to send it past the Fulham goalkeeper.
Salah with another assist as the home team and supporters turn up the heat. Liverpool might just win the league by only bothering to turn up for the second half of every match.
Leicester City make that far too easy for Newcastle – Bruno Guimaraes doubles the hosts lead.
Antony Gordon’s free-kick into the box, finds Lewis Hall who is unmarked at the back post. He heads the ball across the goal finding Guimaraes who heads the ball home. VAR check has been complete – it stands.
For the second half of today’s Premier League 3pm kick-offs.
Liverpool have been a second half team of late, but Slot is going to have to deliver his most rousing team talk yet to salvage anything from this situation.
They have coped well since Robertson’s sending off, but Fulham look capable of taking advantage. They were already the better side when it was 11 v 11. Liverpool’s habit of starting sluggishly may cost them the game this time.
Arne Slot’s solution to having to play with ten men is using Gravenberch as a hybrid centre-back. So far it is working. Liverpool are creating more chances since going a man down.
Another good save by Pickford, this time to stop Martinelli, as Arsenal continue to look for a way through Everton’s blue wall of defenders. It has all become a little flat at the Emirates Stadium, with the home crowd growing increasingly uneasy . . .
It has been a theme of Newcastle United’s season up to this point and they have once again failed to be clinical enough in front of goal against Leicester City. It means their lead is far slender than it should be given their dominance of the first half.
Jacob Murphy missed a sitter before he gave Newcastle the lead but the worst offender, yet again given his quality, has been Alexander Isak.
Sent in on goal by Joelinton, he only had the goalkeeper to beat, but a weak finish was straight at Hermansen. Isak has missed equally simple chances in the home defeat to Brighton, the away defeat at Chelsea and last weekend’s loss at Brentford, as well as the win against Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal are really pushing for an opening goal here, with Jordan Pickford forced into a superb save to deny Martin Odegaard. Everton are sitting deep, packing the penalty box and making things difficult.
Newcastle had been turning the screw on Leicester for the last 15 minutes or so and they have finally made it count. Jacob Murphy had just missed a sitter, ten yards out with the time and space to pick his spot and he put it wide. It was a shocking miss and let’s just say the moans and groans after it were loud enough for him to hear.
But while the winger may have his limitations he does not lack resilience and he has given the hosts a well deserved lead, stroking the ball into the bottom corner at the end of a very clever corner routine from Tonali and Gordon.
The way this game is being officiated it would be a surprise if there isn’t another sending off at some point. Referee Tony Harrington loves his cards.
Liam Delap makes an absolute nuisance of himself and Nelson Semedo cannot deal with the Ipswich Town striker. His cross pinballs around the box and eventually bounces off Matt Doherty and goes in for the visitors.
Utter mess from the hosts!
Robertson’s red card sums up a scruffy start by Liverpool. Referee Tony Harrington had no choice, Robertson’s error sending Harry Wilson clear on goal. There was a prolonged VAR check for offside.
A brilliant goal from Fulham! Iwobi plays the ball on the left-hand side to Robinson. However, the cross is overhit but Pereira connects with a acrobatic volley that ricochets off Andy Robertson and goes into the back of the net.
Fulham enjoyed themselves at Anfield last season until the last two minutes when they conceded twice to lose a game they deserved to win. Now they’re at it again. Pereira finished after a fantastic passing sequence from back to front.
Arsenal have dominated possession in the first few minutes, as you would expect, but Everton have created the first chance of the game. Abdoulaye Doucoure found himself all alone in the penalty area, with seemingly only David Raya to beat, but he was stopped by a brilliant sliding tackle by the returning Gabriel Magalhaes. The Brazilian defender came out of nowhere.
The hosts have made a good start at Molineux as they launch a free-kick into the box but Ipswich Town’s defence stands firm.
Fulham’s Issa Diop is lucky. A poor challenge on Andy Robertson just 30 seconds in went unpunished because of an offside call. Referee could still have taken action. Liverpool’s left-back seems to be okay after long treatment.
Concerning for Liverpool fans – Andy Robertson has hit the deck inside the first minute at Anfield and it doesn’t look too good.
All four 3pm Premier League matches are underway – as Arsenal look to return to winning ways against Everton.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are aiming to bounce back from three defeats in a row as they face Ipswich Town. Elsewhere, Liverpool host Fulham and Leicester City travel to Newcastle United.
The loss of goalkeeper Nick Pope to a knee injury is a real setback for Newcastle United as they look to get their season back on track this month.
Pope picked up an injury – which kept him out of action for five months – at almost the exact same stage of last season and the defence really suffered.
It is also interesting to note that it is not the club record signing for a goalkeeper, Odysseas Vlachodimos who comes in to replace him. The Greece international was valued at £20 million as part of the deal that saw midfielder Elliot Anderson move to Nottingham Forest for £35 million in the summer.
Newcastle had to sell Anderson to comply with profit and sustainability rules (PSR) which effectively forced them to take Vlachodimos as part of the deal, who is clearly nowhere near being first choice for the Magpies.
At the age of 35, Dubravka’s best years appear to be behind him but he is still preferred by manager Eddie Howe to deputise for Pope. That is not a ringing endorsement of the most expensive goalkeeper in the club’s history.
Newcastle desperately need a win at home to Leicester City this afternoon and another one at home to Brentford in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night to reignite their faltering campaign. The concern is they now have a weak link in goal.
Everton manager Sean Dyche speaking to Premier League Productions:
It’s been a strange story. We have come off a tough start to the season but have calmed things down. We were having a lot of draws. Generally, there has been a solid feel about in our performance levels recently and then a big win where we scored a lot of goals.
On opponents Arsenal:
They are a good outfit. There’s a little bit noise about whether they are doing this or doing that. But they are still wining games. The are still up there and have a squad that is deep in quality.
“We had a very good display here last season and deserved something. Decisions form the referee went against us on that day. We got to go and deliver a performance out there today because they are a strong outfit.
Newcastle United plan to make the Gallowgate End their answer to Borussia Dortmund’s ‘Yellow Wall’ as one of the largest stands in Europe if the club decide to stay at St James’ Park.
Our Northern football writer Luke Edwards exclusively revealed:
How the building and expansion of the stand would raise the capacity of St James’ Park to around 65,000, making it the second-largest stadium in the country behind Manchester United
Read Luke Edwards’ full piece here.
After making his first Champions League start on Wednesday night, young Myles Lewis-Skelly is now making his first Premier League start today. The 18-year-old is a hugely exciting prospect and he is benefitting from Arsenal’s injury problems at full-back.
It’s also worth mentioning that Arsenal are playing the same midfield three (Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino) as they did against Monaco on Wednesday. Is it fair to say that this is now their first-choice midfield trio? Perhaps we will be able to say that more definitively by the end of this game.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking to Premier League productions about Lewis-Skelly making his first league start:
He’s been a player who has been with us since the pre-season.
He’s proven that he can compete and play at the highest level. He did it in the midweek for a period of the game and he did really well. He’s got another chance today and I am sure he is going to compete well again.
Fulham have triumphed on just two of their 38 visits to Anfield in all competitions.
Their last win against Liverpool, was 1-0 in the Premier League in March 2021. Mario Lemina captialised on a Mohamed Salah mistake to score the winner.
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy speaking to BBC Sport:
I can’t even remember that long ago! It is a great place to come. The stadium, the atmosphere and the quality of their team. Can we develop little by little? It is very exciting today.
You prepare for the games and away games have their challenges. We know when the crowd gets behind the team and the physicality of it but we prepare the same things and want to continue doing that.
Here’s a glimpse at the top six ahead of this weekend’s action. Four points clear with a game in hand is dreamland if you’re Arne Slot and Liverpool.
Marco Lemina has been striped of the Wolverhampton Wanderers captaincy.
The midfielder clashed with West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat on Monday and then proceeded to push his own team-mate as they tried to calm him down – then Lemina squared up to Wolves assistant coach Shaun Derry.
Nelson Semedo replaces him as Wolves captain Nelson Semedo, with Wolves manager Gary O’Neil confirming the incident against West Ham led to a conversation around the captaincy.
It all kicked off after the full-time whistle, with both Jarrod Bowen and Mario Lemina ending up on the floor following an on-pitch scuffle… 💥😳 pic.twitter.com/qL7YD4gpXq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 10, 2024
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been speaking to BBC Sport ahead of his side’s match against Ipswich Town this afternoon:
We need a consistent run of results and there is no better month to do it than December. We are looking forward to it.
I don’t think it was a collapse last week but it was four poor goals to concede. We have to learn the lessons from that and are pleased to be back at home.
We will targets all areas. We have some really good attacking players and we need to be on the top of our game in all areas.
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Wolves XI: Johnstone, Semedo, Bueno, Toti Gomes, Doherty, Ait-Nouri, Lemina, Andre, Bellegarde, Cunha, Strand Larsen.
Ipswich XI: Muric, H Clarke, O’Shea, Burgess, Davis, Morsy, Chaplin, Cajuste, Burns, Delap, Hutchinson.
Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Leicester XI: Hermansen, Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen, Choudhury, Skipp, McAteer, El Khannouss, Mavididi, Vardy
Liverpool XI: Becker, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Diop, Cuenca, Robinson, Berge, Iwobi, Wilson, Pereira, Lukic, Jimenez.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Rice, Merino, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz.
Everton XI: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Mangala, Ndiaye, Harrison, Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin.
After losing to West Ham on Monday night, majority of people felt O’Neil’s position as manager was in serious doubt – after just three victories from 25 Premier League matches but the Wolves hierarchy is determined to avoid a knee-jerk decision on his future.
According to our football reporter John Percy:
Wolves have been seeking replacements for the 41-year-old, but it has been decided that O’Neil will receive their support to turn their situation around.
The Wolves board did not believe that O’Neil is solely responsible for the club’s struggles this season and will make funds available to sign new players in the January transfer window.
However, if results do not improve, O’Neil’s future will clearly come under scrutiny again, but there is a belief internally that Wolves have successfully navigated difficult situations before and are equipped to deal with the current challenges.
Read John Percy’s full piece here.
Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the four matches kicking off at 3pm in the Premier League.
Arsenal are looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League this weekend against Everton. Mikel Arteta’s side sit seven off points off league leaders Liverpool in the title race but will fancy their chances of at least doing their part when they host Everton this afternoon. As for Sean Dyche’s side, they have endured a largely miserable season to date but did thrash Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 before seeing last weekend’s Merseyside Derby postponed due to Storm Darragh hitting the UK.
Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Ipswich Town – two teams both struggling at the bottom end of the table. Gary O’Neil’s side are down in 19th place and are joined in the relegation zone by Ipswich, who sit just one place above them courtesy of goal difference. Wolves’ defensive frailties have been exposed throughout the season and no Premier League team have conceded more goals than O’Neil’s side so far. At Molineux, they have scored 34 goals in 16 games and not since 2012 have they conceded as many goals at home in a calendar year.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table for a brief time at least when they host Fulham. Arne Slot’s men saw their trip across Stanley Park postponed last weekend, but beat Girona 1-0 in Europe midweek, while visitors Fulham handed Liverpool’s title chances a boost by holding Arsenal to a draw at Craven Cottage.
The final 3pm kick-off takes us to St James’ Park, where Newcastle host Leicester City. Since winning back-to-back games against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, Eddie Howe’s men have failed to come out on top in any of their last four matches picking up just two points in the process. Leicester City remain 16th in the Premier League table, but their new manager bounce under Ruud van Nistelrooy has been rewarded, as they have capitalised on each of the bottom three teams losing their last two matches and subsequently sit five points clear of the relegation zone.
Team news coming soon . . .
