Ryan Gravenberch‘s first Premier League goal came in the 33rd game of the season, but it continued a telling record following Liverpool’s midfield makeover.

It has been a slow campaign for Gravenberch, who made his 20th start for Liverpool in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Fulham amid speculation over a move to Turkey.

Whether those rumours are to be believed or not is unclear, but the Dutchman showed up with an excellent goal from the edge of the box to make it 2-1 at Craven Cottage for a crucial win in the title race.

The goal was Gravenberch’s first in the Premier League, coming in his 22nd appearance, adding to two previous efforts in the Europa League and one in the FA Cup.

Incredibly, that four-goal haul means he has become the fourth midfielder this season to exceed Liverpool’s top-scoring midfielder from last term.

Curtis Jones managed three goals in 2022/23, while only two of Harvey Elliott‘s five for the campaign came when played in midfield.

Stefan Bajcetic (one) was the only other player to score from midfield; Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Thiago and Naby Keita all blanked, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain‘s sole strike came as a left winger.

Now, Gravenberch joins Dominik Szoboszlai (seven), Alexis Mac Allister (six) and Jones (five) in improving on last season’s paltry contribution.

While it has been a difficult run for Liverpool of late, this vindicates a decisive transfer window that saw them spend almost £150 million to revamp their midfield.

Fabinho and Henderson were sold to Saudi Arabia, while Milner, Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain were all released, and though Thiago has remained, he has barely played.

The addition of goals from midfield has helped lighten the load on the forward line – with even Wataru Endo chipping in twice from the No. 6 role.

Speaking to LFCTV after the game, Gravenberch admitted he was “very happy” to finally net in the Premier League.

“I got the ball from Harvey, and soon as I took the first touch I knew already that I wanted to shoot,” he explained.

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“When it goes in, it’s nice if it goes in off the post! So yeah, I’m very happy with my first Premier League goal.”

The 21-year-old added: “For us, it was important. We are out of Europe and we had to get confidence again.

“We win today, so that gives us an extra boost.”

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How the national media saw things as Liverpool win 3-1 at Fulham to go level on points with Arsenal

How the national media saw things as Liverpool win 3-1 at Fulham to go level on points with Arsenal

A Liverpool victory with little to no drama was what our hearts needed, and Liverpool duly obliged, putting three past Fulham and the relief in the celebrations were clear.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota ensured the Reds’ title hopes remain alive with five games to go, delivering a much-needed injection of belief.

The Reds attempted to make life hard for themselves by conceding an equaliser just before the end of the first half, but they gave us few other frights on their way to three valuable points.

There were joyous celebrations – which we’ve missed – some stirring of the pot and classy responses, all things that were spotted from the 3-1 win…

Gravenberch’s anime nod delights Ibou!

ibou teasing grav for doing an anime celly ??? pic.twitter.com/9tyWZMpvF3

— el (@404NUNEZ) April 21, 2024

With his fourth goal of the season, Gravenberch pulled out a celebration in an ode to the anime series Jujutsu Kaisen, and Ibou was clearly a big fan!

He all but squashed the Dutchman on the sideline as the pair celebrated after the final whistle, and Kostas Tsimikas was there to ensure the two didn’t topple over.

? | Ryan Gravenberch with the ‘Divine Dogs’ celebration, which is from Jujutsu Kaisen! pic.twitter.com/Zltu8eb265

— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) April 21, 2024

It’s good to see smiles back on faces!

Trent riles up Fulham fans…

the players celebrating trent’s free kick goal ?? pic.twitter.com/TMiVnQZtuP

— hae (@drwnunez) April 21, 2024

A sublime free-kick deserves celebrating, and Trent did just that, very much enjoying his time in the spotlight, and the subsequent boos directed his way from the home fans.

He had a wry grin as he elicited some anger with his extended celebration – you can tell he thoroughly enjoyed every second of that interaction, and so did we.

Darwin and Mo enjoyed Trent’s strike

Mo and Darwin enjoyed Trent’s goal, but Ibou’s reaction is the best of the lot ? pic.twitter.com/p7XH9P7Koy

— Joanna Durkan (@JoannaDurkan_) April 22, 2024

Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez started from the bench on Sunday, and a clip during the game showed them with pretty stern faces, but that wasn’t the case when they watched Trent’s goal.

Quite the opposite, in fact, with the pair sharing in the joy together on the bench.

But if you look closely, Ibou may steal the show with his hands on his head reaction!

Jose in the building

With a certain club on the hunt for a new manager and Jose Mourinho spotted at Craven Cottage, we couldn’t be surprised by the tedious links trying to make it make sense.

It would be absolute chaos, but think we’ll pass on that one!

Elliott’s show of class

The Fulham fans might have booed Harvey Elliott throughout but he's gone over to give his shirt to a young lad in the home end

— Lewis Steele (@LewisSteele_) April 21, 2024

Fulham supporters were really committed to booing Harvey Elliott every time he got on the ball, clearly not forgiving of the fact he moved to his boyhood club at age 16.

Nevertheless, Elliott showed his class after the match by still giving his shirt to a young Fulham fan.

Jurgen fist pumps at Fulham ???

Five to go pic.twitter.com/TwC6uswoAD

— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) April 21, 2024

Sometimes it’s the little things that say everything about a person.

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It has been a difficult year for Jordan Henderson since leaving Liverpool. The 33-year-old former captain decided it was time to move on last summer after not being given assurances by Jürgen Klopp over his future.

A controversial switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq followed as Henderson linked back up with ex-teammate Steven Gerrard. It was a move that didn't pay off with the midfielder's contract terminated after a matter of months in January, allowing him to complete a return with Ajax.

It was the fresh start that the England international needed as he bid to restore Ajax's fortunes on the pitch. But in his nine appearances for his new club, Henderson has enjoyed just one victory.

READ MORE: Jürgen Klopp disagrees with Jamie Carragher over Liverpool claim amid Mohamed Salah praise

READ MORE: 'Childish' - Diogo Jota shares Liverpool concern over what happened after goal vs Fulham

After the recent international break, Ajax boss Johannes van’t Schip revealed that Henderson had suffered an injury and would be sidelined for a number of weeks. The ex-Reds skipper remained in England to continue his rehabilitation.

And the Daily Mail reports that Henderson used the opportunity to step up his fitness at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre. It is claimed that he was put through his paces during a one-on-one session.

It is unclear if he worked with any of the Liverpool medical staff but his return to Merseyside does show the positive relationship he still holds with his former club. The report states his presence delighted Liverpool's young academy players and their opponents.

Ajax is back in action against Excelsior on Wednesday night and it remains to be seen if Henderson will be involved. His side sits fifth in the Eredivisie table seven points adrift of the European places with just four games to go.

The midfielder will hope to prove his fitness in the final weeks of the season in a bid to make the England squad for Euro 2024. He was called up by Gareth Southgate for recent friendlies against Brazil and Belgium but did not feature, with this likely his last tournament opportunity.

Liverpool.com says: Henderson has had a difficult time since his Anfield exit and he may well regret his decision to leave, with his former teammates enjoying a fine season. But his career in a red shirt should not be forgotten and he is clearly still on good terms with Liverpool. He will hope to end his campaign on a high with a spot at the Euros.

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While Liverpool came away with a “massive” win with a 3-1 result at Fulham, goalscorer Diogo Jota was critical of their “childish” approach to conceding.

There was a sense of catharsis on Sunday as order was restored with a 3-1 victory at Craven Cottage, after a miserable run of form.

Jota’s goal, the third of the afternoon, was a major relief, adding the gloss after Ryan Gravenberch restored the lead early in the second half.

But speaking to Premier League Productions after full-time, the Portuguese was clearly disappointed with how Liverpool tried to control in the game before Timothy Castagne’s first-half equaliser.

“I have to say it was a bit childish from our side, the way we conceded,” Jota insisted.

“Obviously that was their best momentum in the first half and we didn’t know how to control it.

“We had the chance to do it with a couple of goal-kicks, we tried to play fast, I don’t think that was a clever thing to do.

“And we conceded. That’s football, that’s the Premier League.

“But I’m really pleased with the way we reacted and the way we played and controlled the game in the second half.”

It was perhaps fitting that Liverpool’s opener came from a set-piece, with Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s exquisite free-kick bookending a spell in which they had struggled to convert chances from open play.

But further goals from Gravenberch and Jota put the ghosts of Atalanta and Crystal Palace behind them, with the No. 20 hopeful they will now flow “like ketchup.”

“It’s hard to say. Sometimes things just click,” he said when asked why Liverpool’s struggles came about.

“I think [against Palace], I’ve never seen something like that, where pretty much everyone had a clear chance and we all missed.

“But that’s football.

“I always like to say, sometimes it’s like ketchup, because when the first drop comes out, everything flows.

“I hope that’s the case for the team. Three goals today was good away from home, and in three days we play again, so let’s take that.”

Jota added: “Obviously it was a long time for me without playing and in the starting XI, and watching from home I think we missed sometimes this goal which brings the extra comfort and kind of kills the game in a way.

“It’s massive for us, it was a really good game like I said, especially second half. We need to take that into the next game.”

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Jürgen Klopp used Liverpool's win over Fulham on Sunday to heap praise on Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian started on the bench at Craven Cottage as Klopp rang the changes, with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Núñez also among the substitutes.

The apparent gamble paid off as Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners to go second in the Premier League table. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota found the net for the Reds.

It was Jota's first goal since returning from injury as he once again showed his scoring ability. Earlier in the season, Jamie Carragher suggested the Portuguese striker was Liverpool's best finisher in the Premier League era— ahead of the likes of Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Luis Suárez.

READ MORE: 'Childish' - Diogo Jota shares Liverpool concern over what happened after goal vs Fulham

READ MORE: Liverpool injury latest and return dates as Jürgen Klopp heaps praise on Conor Bradley

But while Klopp was delighted with the impact of the 27-year-old, he insisted he still must go some way to take the mantle off teammate Salah. "The best finisher in this club is obviously Mo Salah with some distance," he said after the Fulham win.

"But it's really cool to have Diogo back, not only because of the goal. Because of the performance, he looked really good. He can play all three positions upfront."

"Tell you what, it's as important that Cody Gakpo is back. He wasn't injured, but has been struggling. He's now fully back. Three or four games, he is physically there. Really strong, keeps the ball, that's really helpful as well."

Klopp has acknowledged that Liverpool was in a "crazy situation" as it had the luxury of bringing on both Salah and Núñez off the bench. He was thrilled to have such quality players to call upon, especially after enduring a six-month period riddled with injuries.

"We made these changes because we were 100 per cent convinced we had to," said Klopp. "We play on Wednesday and then we play on Saturday, in London again, which is crazy enough. That's how it is. We need to make these changes before the players give me the obvious sign, 'sorry, I'm done'. Really happy with that.

"The squad situation at the moment is as good as it has been in this season. Hopefully it stays like that. If you saw our bench today, that was real quality and experience. Yes, have them all back and can mix it up.

"We can bring on Darwin and Mo today, is a crazy situation. Didn't work out a little bit because of offside but it looked really dangerous. Now let's see how we start the next game. But it's cool to have all the big guns as well around. Now, we have to stay really on it. Let's see what we can do."

Liverpool.com says: Jota showed just what he can bring to the table at Fulham and few would question his ability in front of goal. But Klopp is right to remind people of Salah's talents. His goalscoring stats are quite incredible and the Egyptian will be hoping to add to his tally at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.

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Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold says his side will treat each of their remaining five games of the season as a final.

Liverpool brushed off their European disappointment to move up to second in the Premier League - level on points with table-topping Arsenal - after a 3-1 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Jurgen Klopp's men bounced back from Thursday's exit to Atalanta in the Europa League and last week's home defeat to Crystal Palace as they continued their pursuit of Premier League glory.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's superb free-kick sent the Merseysiders on their way (32), but Timothy Castagne hauled Marco Silva's side level on the stroke of half-time (45+2).

Last Sunday's surprise home loss to Palace had handed the initiative to Manchester City, and while Mikel Arteta's Gunners side moved top with victory over Wolves on Saturday, Liverpool kept up the pace with a dominant second-half display.

Image: Trent Alexander-Arnold wheels away after beating Bernd Leno

Ryan Gravenberch restored the visitors' advantage when he collected Harvey Elliott's pass to curl a sublime finish past Bernd Leno and in off the post (53).

With Alisson a spectator after the interval, Liverpool turned the screw as Diogo Jota put the contest to bed with a third, racing onto Cody Gakpo's pass to fire low into the bottom right-hand corner.

The result means Liverpool move onto 74 points, along with Arsenal, but in second place by virtue of an inferior goal difference. City sit third on 73 points but having played a game less. Meanwhile, Fulham remain in 12th position on 42 points.

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Alexander-Arnold gives Liverpool the lead with a wonderful free-kick

Player ratings

Fulham: Leno (7), Castagne (7), Robinson (6), Bassey (5), Adarabioyo (6), Palhinha (5), Lukic (6), Iwobi (6), Pereira (7), Reed (5), Muniz (7).

Subs used: Traore (n/a), Wilson (6), Cairney (6).

Liverpool: Alisson (6), Robertson (7), Alexander-Arnold (8), Van Dijk (6), Quansah (6), Gravenberch (8), Endo (7), Elliott (7), Gakpo (7), Diaz (6), Jota (8).

Subs used: Mac Allister (6), Nunez (6), Szoboszlai (n/a), Gomez (6), Salah (6).

Player of the match: Diogo Jota.

How Jota reignited Liverpool's title challenge Image: Diogo Jota celebrates scoring Liverpool's third goal at Fulham

In their 1-0 defeat to Palace, Liverpool had an expected goals total of 2.81, the most by a Premier League side who failed to score since Newcastle against Crystal Palace in September 2022.

Klopp's team ought to have hit the front inside five minutes, but Luis Diaz headed wide from Alexander-Arnold's cross.

Over the course of their recent rivalry, Liverpool have had a couple of seasons where the race to the line with Man City has seen them miss out by just a point despite matching each other win-for-win for the majority of the run-in.

Team news

• One notable absence for Fulham was Willian, with manager Marco Silva confirming that this was a groin strain. Bobby De Cordova-Reid started while Tim Ream returned to the bench.
• Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboslai and Ibrahima Konate were all on the bench. Diogo Jota started up front with Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott.

The visitors knew they could not afford to drop any more points in the capital, and they came close again when Alexander-Arnold picked out Diaz inside Antonee Robinson but his cross was directed wide by Jota.

Fulham could yet challenge for a top-10 finish - and they briefly threatened when Alex Iwobi set up Joao Palhinha for a shot on the edge of the box but Alisson made a routine save. With half an hour on the clock, Palhinha hauled down Jota just outside the penalty area. It would prove a costly decision.

Image: Liverpool survived a scare to defeat Fulham

Elliott had already seen one free-kick strike the foot of the Fulham wall, but this time Alexander-Arnold pulled rank and curled a sumptuous effort into the corner beyond the reach of Leno.

Liverpool smelt blood as Gakpo immediately forced the Fulham stopper to tip a ferocious drive over. But Silva vowed his squad was in the best place they could be heading into the encounter - and they showed their quality to level on the stroke of half-time.

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Liverpool are stunned as Timothy Castagne levels for Fulham just minutes before the break

Jarell Quansah initially did well to block Rodrigo Muniz's header from point-blank range but Castagne was on hand to sweep the loose ball beyond Alisson.

Liverpool have now not kept a clean sheet in any of their last nine league games at Craven Cottage since a 1-0 win in April 2009. Jamie Carragher pointed out: "Liverpool don't keep them like Arsenal. They have to get better defensively even when the manager moves on."

Elliott was not enjoying his return to Fulham as he dragged a shot wide from Jota's pass five minutes after the restart - but moments later he was the architect of Liverpool's second. Iwobi's attempted clearance was intercepted by the England U21 international, who set up Gravenberch for a precise finish from 20 yards out.

Image: Ryan Gravenberch restored Liverpool's advantage

Gravenberch celebrated his first Premier League goal - and the Dutchman was involved once more when he combined with Andrew Robertson to set up Jota for an instinctive near-post shot that was well kept out by Leno.

The Portuguese would not be denied his goal on his first league start since February, however, as he coolly buried a shot low out of Leno's reach after being slipped through by Gakpo to reignite Liverpool's title challenge.

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Jota's goal survives a tight VAR call to make it 3-1 and give Liverpool some breathing space Silva: We didn't react well to second goal

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Marco Silva found it difficult to understand some of the referees' decisions in Fulham’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool and was disappointed with his side's level in the second half

Fulham boss Marco Silva told Sky Sports:

"They scored an excellent free-kick from Alexander-Arnold, and our reaction was really good. We had some very good moments as well both in open play and with counter-attacks.

"The score was fair at half-time because the reaction was good. I thought we deserved the equaliser and the goal in that moment. We wanted to start the second half with the same intensity but the way we conceded the second was really hard to take.

"It was a good chance for us to make a counter-attack as they were open and it was something we planned to explore but we gave the ball away and they scored. From that moment, the reaction was not so good. We have to learn from that situation.

"We have 12 points to fight for and that should be our focus. It's been a long but very good journey for this football club. The ambition is to get more and more.

"We have a group of players who are professional and who will always fight for the shirt. We have points to fight for no matter who we play. No one can doubt our players because we've been really professional in every moment of the season."

Klopp: This is strongest league in world - we will give title a go

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Jurgen Klopp praised the performances of his players in Liverpool’s 3-1 win against Fulham and felt the introduction of fresh legs was pivotal in them securing the victory

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: "We've won the last two away games and the performance today was really good besides the final 10 minutes of the first half. We don't have to concede then, but we obviously do.

"It's a squad game and we need all of them. We need to fight through games. All these boys have massive quality. Sometimes the momentum isn't there but the quality is insane. We need to figure out who and when for what and for how long. That's part of the job.

"It makes it 74 [points] for us - we had a really good feeling that at Atalanta the performance was alright but we didn't go through and today was even better.

Image: Diogo Jota celebrates scoring Liverpool's third goal at Fulham

"Why wouldn't we respond? How did we get where we are? This is the strongest and most intense league in the world and we are here in this fight with two sensational teams. If we didn't have character we wouldn't be here.

"Sometimes you need to get momentum back and we've got that back a little. Do you think City feel the pressure? They have won everything in the last few years.

"We have to focus on ourselves. I try to say things that would help - if we start thinking about City it wouldn't help."

Carragher: Massive result for Liverpool

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Gravenberch restores Liverpool's lead with a stunning finish midway through the second half

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:

"A massive result for Liverpool, not just in terms of the title race and the three points, but to get things back on track.

"In midweek, they won the game, but went out of the competition, but I think Klopp almost used that for 'Liverpool are back'. They kept a clean sheet, they won the game and this was a step up again in terms of performance.

"It can be better of course, but it's a massive result. With five games to go in the Premier League, level at the top with Arsenal, it's a good position to be in.

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Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold says his side will treat each of their remaining five games of the season as a final.

"The performance in midweek and today, it's not Liverpool at their best. But we all know as players, when you're in a poor run of form and the confidence goes a little bit, you just begin to build it back up.

"I think they'll be better again on Wednesday [against Everton] and that was an improvement on Thursday night.

"Klopp has tried to take positives from that [the Europa League exit]. There's a lot of disappointment from Liverpool fans that they've gone out of a competition they were expected to win.

"But Klopp used that, it was a clean sheet [at Atalanta], they've won two away games in a row and they've got another two to get through. If they can get through those, which will be really tough, it does put them in a great position.

"If you can win four away games in 10 days, that puts you in a great position going into three [Premier League] games left."

Still time for Klopp to add to his legacy Image: Alexander-Arnold celebrates his brilliant opener

Sky Sports' Ben Grounds at Craven Cottage:

"Klopp remains positive about Liverpool's place in the title race and still believes if they win all their remaining five matches they will be Premier League champions again.

"A difficult run of results - starting with a draw at Manchester United and followed by home defeats to Atalanta and Crystal Palace - ended with a 1-0 Europa League victory in Bergamo but that could not prevent their exit from the Europa League 3-1 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage.

Image: Klopp’s men bounced back from Thursday’s exit to Atalanta

"A first clean sheet in 10 matches was a boost to confidence, especially as they continue to struggle to find their best form at the other end of the pitch, and a perfect run-in is required if they are to overhaul both Arsenal and third-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

"That the clean sheet went will not concern Klopp too much at this stage of the season, provided they are winning. They have scored in 31 of their 33 games, more often than any other team in the Premier League this campaign, and here they overpowered their opponents in the second half.

"Judging by the full-time celebrations, Klopp still believes there is time to add to his legacy."

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Diogo Jota scored the 100th goal of his English club career in all competitions across his time at Wolves (44 goals) and Liverpool (56).

When asked about Jota's finishing, Klopp said: "The best finisher in this club is Mo Salah, but it's super cool to have Diogo back. It's just as important to have Cody Gakpo back. He's been injured but he's physically there now."

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• Liverpool have won seven of their last nine away games in the Premier League (D1 L1) - more than their previous 19 on the road beforehand (W6 D7 L6).
• Fulham suffered their 16th Premier League defeat of the season, now equalling their total for the whole of last term. Seven of those losses have come at Craven Cottage - one more than they lost at home in the league in 2022-23 (6).
• Ryan Gravenberch's goal, assisted by Harvey Elliott, was the first time Liverpool had a Premier League goal both scored and assisted by players aged 21 or younger since November 2014 v Chelsea (Emre Can assisted by Raheem Sterling).
• Liverpool have scored four goals from outside the box against Fulham in the Premier League this season, the first side to score so many against the same opponent in a Premier League campaign since Leeds v West Brom in 2020-21, while the Reds last did so in 2015-16 v Aston Villa.

What's next?

Fulham host Crystal Palace on Saturday April 27, kick-off 3pm.

Liverpool face a trip across Stanley Park to face Everton on Wednesday April 24, kick-off 8pm.

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