MILNER SUBBED ON AGAINST FULHAM

Veteran English midfielder James Milner was a second half substitute as Liverpool side came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw at newly promoted team Fulham on Saturday. James Milner and his Liverpool teammates had to settle for a draw in a game they were expected to win. The game was their Premier League opener for the new season.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp went for the tried and trusted midfield trio of Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and skipper Jordan Henderson in the Fulham game with Milner on the bench. The Liverpool midfielders dominated possession in the first half, but it didn’t lead to goals. Fulham had lesser possession than the Reds and despite this, they were able to go into the halftime interval with a one-goal lead thanks to the header from Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. Mitrovic saw off the challenge of Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold to power a header into the back of the net on 32 minutes off the cross from Fulham right-back Kenny Tete.

James Milner came on for Brazilian star Fabinho a minute shy of the hour mark as his team try to get back into the game. Five minutes after his introduction, Liverpool drew level through fellow substitute Darwin Nunez. Uruguayan international striker Nunez came on for the ineffective Roberto Firmino on 51 minutes and it didn’t take long for him to get the equaliser off the assist from Mohamed Salah. Fulham were pegged back for just eight minutes before they regained the lead through a penalty from the aforementioned Mitrovic after he was brought down by Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk. Also, it took eight minutes for Liverpool to draw level back thanks to the goal from Egyptian attacker Salah. Liverpool tried to find a winner in the final minutes, but they were unable to find it thereby settling for a draw.

Liverpool would be hoping to get their season going when they take on Crystal Palace at home on Monday for their second league game of the season.