Liverpool proved that things don’t always have to go according to plan in order to achieve perfection, as they held onto their 100% home record against Fulham in a thrilling seven-goal match.

 Liverpool twice took the lead thanks to spectacular goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Trent Alexander-Arnold, although via Bernd Leno’s back. Their aggregate distance of 55 yards was scored twice. However, Fulham retaliated on many occasions, scoring via close range efforts from Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Kenny Tete, and Harry Wilson before Wataru Endo and Alexander-Arnold sent Anfield into a frenzy.

Alexander-Arnold was seldom still on the field. Although he began the match as a right-back, he was also often used as a sweeper, in center midfield, or on the left flank. During his little period of composure, the full-back set up from a distance of 25 yards and executed a beautiful curving strike off the bar, albeit it will likely be somewhat tarnished as it collided with Leno’s back.

Four minutes later, one of Liverpool’s alumni scored the equalizer, making it a successful day for the academy as well. Nevertheless, it demonstrated the drawbacks of Alexander-Arnold’s free role when Liverpool’s “right-back” was positioned in the middle of the box on the left. When Antonee Robinson created space for Wilson to cross after Joel Matip’s ball from defense was intercepted, Fulham broke and the goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, made his sixth Premier League appearance over three years to the day after his debut.

Though he provides significantly more in that capacity than other midfielders in the league, Mac Allister is theoretically Liverpool’s deepest lying player. His best position is up front, and Jürgen Klopp is pleased to see him do so. A less confident player would have taken a touch with the ball bouncing before sending it on, but Mac Allister unleashed a devastating shot that continued rising until it struck the top corner while the Argentinian was lurking. Raúl Jiménez had headed a throw-in into his path. Everyone inside Anfield was in shock at what they had just seen, and there was a brief moment of quiet before the roar.

Due to Leno’s prior injury, the first half saw a total of nine minutes of additional time. In the third of them, Jiménez nodded a corner into Tete’s path, finding a more useful use for a flick-on. Playing his first game since mid-September, the Dutch right-back controlled the ball but it looked to elude him. Kelleher thought he had it, but Tete’s extended right leg deflected the ball into the goal. Liverpool believed they had been spared by the assistant referee’s flag, but VAR showed that there had been no infraction, enabling the away team to celebrate a little later than planned.

Soon after, Tim Ream scored the rebound after Kelleher had saved João Palhinha’s header, saving the bright yellow and orange squares from defeating Liverpool. Despite waving his finger, there was no question that the American defender was offside, guaranteeing that the half would conclude in equal.

In the second, Darwin Núñez, wearing a new hairdo of braids, was set up by Mohamed Salah, who snuck a pass through, but his rifling shot hit the bar to help clear the rain. The Uruguayan raised his hands to the Kop as he sensed a stronger show of support from the crowd. Soon after, the same pair linked up again, with Salah cushioning a pass from Dominik Szoboszlai over the defenders for Núñez, who could only scuff a shot wide.

Due to Alexander-Arnold’s passing ability and the vulnerability of Liverpool’s right flank, Klopp decided to bench Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in favor of Joe Gomez, who was shifted into central midfield. The game opened up when Alexander-Arnold was joined in midfield by Cody Gakpo.

Despite the adjustments, Fulham was playing on the break and again, Liverpool’s right gave them issues. Willian was free to drag the ball back, allowing Tom Cariney to deliver a cross to the back post, where De Cordova-Reid, the other replacement, leaped over Kostas Tsimikas to head in the goal and give Fulham their first-ever lead.

Salah, who is only one goal shy of scoring 200 goals for Liverpool, had a chance to tie the score when a corner was parried directly into his path. However, unlike his opponents, he was unable to score from six yards out, sending his volley sailing over the bar. He didn’t need to worry, either, as Endo appeared on the edge of the box and curled a shot from a Salah ball into the top corner.

Alexander-Arnold should have the last word since it seemed only fair. In the 88th minute, a half-cleared Núñez cross found the England international, who blasted home from 18 yards, causing chaos on the field and in the fans. An incredible contest came to a spectacular conclusion.