Liverpool travelled to Craven Cottage for a Premier League meeting with Fulham on Sunday.
Results have improved in recent weeks, but supporters have been left unhappy with Arne Slot.
Liverpool’s performances have remained subpar, and there is a feeling that this team is currently still not good enough to compete at the very top of the division.
How long does Arne Slot actually have left as Liverpool manager after that performance? 🤔
They went into this fixture sitting inside the Champions League places but still well off the pace of league leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool started poorly, once again looking well off the boil and creating very little.
Cody Gakpo angered fans when he missed a chance in the first half, before former player Harry Wilson made it 1-0 heading into the break.
The Reds began the second half much better, and after a three-minute VAR check, Florian Wirtz’s equaliser was given.
Gakpo then scored what looked to be a late winner before Harrison Reed scored a stunner to make it 2-2 in the 96th minute.
Hugo Ekitike’s absence is an issue for Liverpool
Hugo Ekitike has been in excellent form for much of 2025/26, sitting as the Reds’ top goalscorer.
However, he missed the Fulham meeting with a minor fitness issue.
As a result, Cody Gakpo was handed a rare start up front, with Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai on either side of the Dutchman.
Liverpool have previously excelled without an out-and-out number nine, enjoying much success during the Roberto Firmino era.
Sunday’s fixture was a good test to see if that is something Slot could explore moving forward.
However, though Gakpo did score, Liverpool still looked well off it in the final third for much of the tie.
Thankfully, Ekitike should be back in action against Arsenal next week.
Who was Liverpool’s best player during the disappointing draw at Fulham?
Liverpool have another transfer priority in 2026
For much of the season so far, there has been talk about Liverpool signing a centre-back as a priority or another winger.
Both positions should be addressed, especially if Mohamed Salah does end up leaving at some point this year.
But January 4th’s tie highlighted the lack of quality cover Slot has in midfield right now.
There was not a single senior central midfielder on the bench, and even if Wataru Endo was fit, it’s unlikely he would have been brought on.
The Merseyside outfit spent big in the summer, but it remains clear that they still have a couple of big holes to fill if they are to rebuild a squad capable of competing at the very top.
Liverpool’s Premier League campaign is a write-off already under Arne Slot
Regardless of the result against Fulham, it’s become clear Liverpool are now playing for very little this season.
Is a top-four finish still on the cards? Of course, but in reality, doesn’t mean much to FSG, who can survive without Champions League football for a season or two.
It may have been a different story had Slot left at the back end of 2025, but it’s become clear that Arsenal and Manchester City remain well ahead of the Reds, and while it’s only January, there’s little left to play for, or for fans to get excited about, in the Premier League.
The Dutchman should have gone in 2025, but FSG’s mistake now means fans are still being subjected to dire displays every week.
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