PLAYER RATINGS: Liverpool forward responds well to criticism from fans, while Trent Alexander-Arnold was the best player on the pitch in win at Fulham

Liverpool moved level with Arsenal on points at the top of the Premier League table after starring in a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Trent Alexander-Arnold fired Liverpool in front with a stunning first half free-kick before Timothy Castagne pulled the hosts back on level terms just before half time.

Any fears of a possible comeback were quickly dispelled by Liverpool as Ryan Gravenberch fired Jurgen Klopp‘s title-chasers back ahead with his first Premier League goal.

Diogo Jota added a third to seal victory as the Portuguese star scored his 100th goal in English football to complete a dominant victory.

Mail Sport’s Liverpool correspondent Lewis Steele gives his player ratings from an enthralling battle at Craven Cottage. 

Jurgen Klopp was ecstatic at full-time as Liverpool produced a dominant performance against Fulham

Fulham (4-2-3-1)

Bernd Leno – 7

Could do nothing for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s sublime free-kick to open the scoring but made several key stops either side of it. Probably should have done better with Liverpool’s third goal, though.

Bernd Leno could do nothing for Trent Alexander-Arnold ’s sublime free-kick to open the scoring but made several key stops either side of it.

Timothy Castagne – 7

Extremely tidy finish to level the scores just before half-time, having to beat both Alisson and Wataru Endo on the goal-line. Got up and down the right wing well and contained Cody Gakpo.

Tosin Adarabioyo – 6.5 (Booked)

Calm in possession and had Diogo Jota’s number in the first half. Dominant defensive display at times but Fulham were carved open too easily after the break.

Calvin Bassey – 6

Made a vital interception to hook the ball away from Luis Diaz’s path early on. Struggled with Liverpool’s front three in the second half.

Calvin Bassey was commanding at the heart of Fulham’s defence in the first half but struggled in the second period of play

Antonee Robinson – 6.5

An electric presence bombing down Fulham’s left wing. Often lost out in duels with Luis Diaz in the first half.

Joao Palhinha – 6.5 (Booked)

So important to this Fulham side both on and off the ball. The Portuguese broke up play well and was pivotal to the build-up.

Joao Palhinha broke up play well and was pivotal to the build-up for Fulham’s only goal

Sasa Lukic – 5

Screened the defence well and tidy in possession but struggled with Liverpool’s runners in the second half.

Bobby Decordova-Reid – 5

Had some nice moments including a lovely cut-back to Palhinha in the first half. Did a lot of dirty work defensively to double up on Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Andreas Pereira – 5.5

A couple of loose passes and touches early on but caused Liverpool problems from set-piece situations.

Andreas Pereira caused Liverpool problems from set-piece situations throughout the day

Alex Iwobi – 5

Made some driving runs through Liverpool’s midfield but often lacked the clinical edge with his final pass. Sometimes he picked the wrong ball.

Rodrigo Muniz – 5

Had a good chance just before Castagne’s equaliser but could not sort his feet out to take on a first-time attempt, though did well to get a shot away which was stopped by Alisson.

Rodrigo Muniz had a good chance just before Castagne’s equaliser but could not sort his feet out to take on a first-time attempt

Substitutes

Harry Wilson (for Decordova-Reid 71) – 6

Tom Cairney (for Palhinha 71) – 6

Adama Traore (for Iwobi 85)

Subs not used: Kenny Tete, Harrison Reed, Raul Jimenez, Armando Broja, Tim Ream.

Liverpool (4-3-3)

Alisson – 6.5

Had little to do until denying Muniz after 40 minutes. Could do nothing to stop Castagne’s equaliser.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8

A bit of an ‘I’m him’ performance from Liverpool’s vice-captain. It was not a perfect display as some efforts went awry but he was the best player on the pitch with some Kevin De Bruyne-like passing and a sublime free-kick to top it off.

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a stunning free-kick to get Liverpool up and running at Craven Cottage

Alecander-Arnold was the best player on the pitch with some Kevin De Bruyne-like passing and a sublime free-kick to top it off

Jarell Quansah – 7

Was targeted by physical specimen Muniz but stood up to the task well and played some nice diagonal long balls.

Virgil van Dijk – 7

Commanding presence as ever. Fulham’s players looked scared to take him on, including Bobby Decordova-Reid who ran straight into him and asked for a penalty.

Virgil van Dijk was a commanding presence as ever in Liverpool’s defence as Fulham’s players looked scared to take him on

Andy Robertson – 6.5

Got down the left wing well and caused problems but his crossing left a little to be desired. Outrageous first touch and backheel pass early in the second half.

Harvey Elliott – 6.5

Booed on every touch, he was the laughing stock of Craven Cottage when he tried a free-kick under the wall that was whisked away. Elliott played well otherwise but lacked end product and pulled a good chance wide early in the second half.

Wataru Endo – 6.5

A couple of careless losses of possession in the first half but was much better after the break.

Ryan Gravenberch – 7.5

It’s been a disappointing first season in England for the Dutchman but this was a much-improved display with a goal that could be key in the title race. Had some nice moments as he glided through the midfield on the half-turn.

Ryan Gravenberch produced a much-improved display with a goal that could be key in the title race

Gravenberch scored his first goal in the Premier League after re-establishing Liverpool’s lead

Cody Gakpo – 7.5

Has been criticised by Liverpool fans in the last month but this was a very pleasing display for the Dutchman, who assisted Jota for the third goal. Put in a good shift defensively.

Diogo Jota – 7.5

Pulled one wide in the first half when he shinned an effort from a dangerous position. But there was never any doubting him when he was set through on goal in the second half, with his strike for 3-1 all but winning the three points.

There was never any doubting Diogo Jota when he was set through on goal in the second half

Luis Diaz – 7

Started the game well and looked sharp in the first half, linking up well with Alexander-Arnold. Faded somewhat in the second half, though.

Luis Diaz started the game well and looked sharp in the first half but faded in the second

Substitutes 

Alexis Mac Allister (for Gravenberch 74) – 6 Mohamed Salah (for Diaz 74) – 6 Darwin Nunez (for Jota 74) – 6 Joe Gomez (for Alexander-Arnold 80) Dominik Szoboszlai (for Gakpo 86) 

Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones, Kostas Tsimikas.