Liverpool's 26-match unbeaten run in the Premier League ended as they lost their lead and suffered their second defeat of the season, going down 3-2 to Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Arne Sloth's men failed to capitalise on Arsenal's setback at Goodison Park the day before, when Alexis McAllister scored a superb goal that could have been a contender for the season's title to give Liverpool the lead.
However, an uncharacteristic defensive display from the visitors after Ryan Sessegnon's goal allowed Alex Iwobi to put Fulham ahead before Rodrigo Muñiz scored a third.
Luis Diaz came off the bench and pulled one back but it was not enough for Liverpool, who missed the chance to extend their 11-point lead over Arsenal with seven games remaining in the season.
Despite Ibrahima Konate losing possession in his own half and the visitors nearly falling behind, the Reds showed their attacking ability, stunning the hosts with a superb goal from McAllister in the 14th minute.
The goal was scored by tall defensive midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who used his physicality to get past a defender and pass the ball, allowing Mac Allister to break forward and fire a powerful long-range shot past Bernd Leno into the top left corner of the goal.
Liverpool's lead did not last long, however, as Cottagers academy product Sessegnon equalised in the 23rd minute.
After Sander Berge used his shoulder to escape Liverpool's pressing, he crossed into the box, Konate headed the ball away and Sessegnon collected it and fired it towards the near post.
The away side have shown signs of slowing down in recent weeks and it was evident when the build-up to the hosts' second goal was marked by inaccurate passing under high pressure from Fulham.
This time Iwobi was the Cottagers player to receive the ball in the attacking area after an interception and, after Anthony Robinson had made space for him, his left-footed shot found Andy Robertson, clipped Caoimhin Kelleher and put the hosts ahead.
Liverpool have usually responded positively to such challenges throughout the season, but that did not happen on this occasion as Fulham's pressure forced the team to capitulate.
Five minutes after Iwobi's 37th-minute strike, Reds captain Virgil van Dijk, usually reliable, lost his concentration on a high pass, allowing Muniz to pounce, race past and knock Kelleher down with a fine finish inside the box.
After the break, Slot brought on Diaz in the hope of getting something out of the match, and he managed to pull one back with 18 minutes left in the game.
However, Mohamed Salah's close-range strike and Curtis Jones' 79th-minute effort that hit the crossbar were Liverpool's final attempts on a day when they failed to find the net.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
