Liverpool drop two points against an impressive Fulham on opening day

Fulham coach Marco Silva had warned that his side weren't ready for the Premier League ahead of the season getting underway this weekend, but they showed themselves to be up for the fight as they held Liverpool 2-2 at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

The Cottagers were impressive from the off in Saturday's early game, and led the title challengers twice on the day, only to be pegged back on both occasions.

From the off, Fulham were in their visitors' faces and never gave them time to settle on the ball, putting in a performance that will have their fans hopeful of finally being able to secure survival this season instead of bouncing between the Premier League and Championship as they have done so often of late.

They were led from the front by a tireless Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored twice to get his season up and running as he would have wanted to.

His first came as he climbed above Trent Alexander-Arnold to head home, and his second was a penalty that he converted after being fouled by Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool only had flashes

Liverpool were a long way from their best on Saturday, though there were signs of encouragement from new signing Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz as well.

The Uruguayan scored just 13 minutes after coming off the bench in the second half, then levelling things up at 1-1, much to Jugen Klopp's delight on the sidelines.

Diaz rattled the woodwork in the first half with a fine effort after working space inside the box, and Jordan Henderson crashed a shot off the crossbar in stoppage time, being denied what would have been a dramatic winner.

Fulham will take a lot of encouragement from the draw, but Liverpool will be left frustrated by two dropped poitns.