Just when Liverpool ‘s season seemed incapable of stooping any lower, the Reds reached a new lowest ebb with a sixth home defeat against Fulham .
Jurgen Klopp’s side more or less waved goodbye to their top-four chances when a Mario Lemina strike flew into the bottom right-hand corner after Liverpool failed to clear their lines.
Despite dominating much of the second half it took twenty minutes before anything meaningful was created by a shot-shy home side.
A combination of fine saves from visiting stopper Alphonse Areola, last-ditch defending, the woodwork and all-round poor finishing putting pay to any fight back.
All attention now turns to UEFA Champions League matters after another unpalatable Premier League display.
Elimination on Wednesday would prove to be a painful bitter pill to swallow and at this stage would all but end the campaign as a competition.
Here’s how we rated the Reds on show on a dire afternoon at Anfield…
Alisson Becker - 6
No chance with the goal and made some important saves to keep the Reds in the hunt.
Neco Williams - 6
Decent display from the Welshman on a rare start and produced some threatening deliveries from the right
Rhys Williams - 6
Coped well on his surprise recall but powerless to stop the painful defeat.
Nat Phillips - 6
Solid enough when called upon from the no-nonsense defender.
Andy Robertson - 5
Incapable of providing his usual quality as Liverpool faltered.
Gini Wijnaldum - 5
Replaced shortly into the second half by Sadio Mane having failed to make an impact.
James Milner - 6
Full of effort and endeavour but nothing doing in an attacking sense from the stand-in captain.
Naby Keita - 6
Creative influence grew in the second half and showed his worth but couldn’t provide the decisive moment.
Booked.
Mohamed Salah - 6
Gave away the ball on the edge of the box for the opener.
Denied by a superb save on a frustrating afternoon. Indicative of Liverpool’s struggles.
Xherdan Shaqiri - 5
Tried in vain to make things happen in an advanced role but it wasn’t to be.
Diogo Jota - 6
Frustrating afternoon on his return to the starting lineup. Still good to see him back.
Sadio Mane (Sub) -6
Hit the bar with a looping header.
Denied by a last ditch block late on. Looks devoid of confidence.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Sub) -6
A host of crosses into the box but couldn’t find the mark.
Fabinho (Sub) - 6
Won the ball back high up the field as Liverpool strived for anything from the match.
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